At least six people died and 15 others were injured after a Rath caught fire after coming into contact with a high-tension electric wire in the Unakoti district of Tripura on Wednesday, said police.
The incident took place about 4.30 p.m. in the Kumarghat area during the ISKCON-organised "Ulta Rath Yatra," or return car festival, they claimed.
A week after the Rath Yatra, the sibling deities Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhdara, and Lord Jagannath ride back to their home during this festival in a chariot.
Many individuals were pulling the chariot, made of iron and vigorously brightened, when it interacted with a 133 kv above link. According to police, people fell onto the road with their bodies on fire as soon as parts of the Rath caught fire.
They claimed that the fire department arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.
According to police, there were three women and two children among the deceased.
They stated that seven of the injured were transported to the GB Pant Hospital in Agartala because their conditions were critical. The injured were rushed to the district's Kailashahar and Kumarghat hospitals.
The incident, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was saddening.
PM Modi expresses grief
"The mishap during the Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat is saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted, quoting him."
He announced an ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to each deceased person's surviving family members and Rs 50,000 for accident victims.
In the middle of the night, Chief Minister Manik Saha took a train to Kumarghat, where he met the injured.
Joined by state minister Tinku Roy, Saha visited the Kumarghat medical clinic and enquired about the prosperity of individuals, guaranteeing them of all conceivable assistance.
Tripura CM Manik Saha said, "In a tragic incident, several devotees have lost their lives & some other people sustained injuries due to electrocution during Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat today. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost their near and dear ones in the tragedy. In this difficult time, the State Government stands by the side of the affected families."
The Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd., according to Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath, has been instructed to investigate the incident and submit a report immediately.
Animesh Debbarma, the Tipra Motha's opposition leader, demanded swift action against those responsible for the accident.
"It appears that the incident took place due to lack of alertness by the local administration," he alleged.
The state Congress and the CPI(M) also expressed their sympathy to the deceased's families.
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