Seven people, including two minors, were killed and 18 injured when a chariot caught fire during a Rath Yatra procession after it touched a high-tension wire at Kumarghat in Tripura’s Unokoti district on Wednesday evening.
The condition of six of the injured is said to be critical. They have been referred to Agartala Government Medical College.
The incident took place in Kumarghat area around 4:30 pm during the ‘Ulta Rath Yatra’ festival of Lord Jagannath.
The festival marks the return of the deities – Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath – to their sacred abode after a week of Rath Yatra.
During the festival, a large number of people enthusiastically pulled the ‘rath’ made of iron. During the procession, the ‘rath’ accidentally came into contact with a 133 KV overhead cable, police said.
Chief Minister Manik Saha expressed grief over the death.
He tweeted, “In a tragic accident at Kumarghat, several pilgrims lost their lives and several others were injured due to electrocution while pulling the ‘Ulta Rath’. I am deeply saddened by this incident. Deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Also, I wish the injured persons a speedy recovery. The state government stands by them in this difficult time,”.
