UNAKOTI: Six people were killed and 15 others were injured when a chariot was engulfed in flames after coming into contact with a high-tension wire in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Wednesday evening, police said.
The incident occurred at around 4.30pm in the Kumarghat area during the ‘Ulta Rath Yatra’ festival of Lord Jagannath.
The festival marks the return of the sibling deities — Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath — to their sacred dwelling, one week after the Rath Yatra.
During the festivities, a large number of people were enthusiastically pulling the ‘Rath’, which was constructed using iron. During the procession, the ‘Rath’ accidentally made contact with a 133kv overhead cable, police said.
Six people died on the spot and 15 others received burn injuries, assistant inspector general (Law & Order) Jyotishman Das Chowdhury told PTI.
The injured were undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital, he said.
Their conditions were stated to be critical, officials said.
Chief minister Manik Saha condoled the deaths.
“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,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
The incident occurred at around 4.30pm in the Kumarghat area during the ‘Ulta Rath Yatra’ festival of Lord Jagannath.
The festival marks the return of the sibling deities — Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath — to their sacred dwelling, one week after the Rath Yatra.
During the festivities, a large number of people were enthusiastically pulling the ‘Rath’, which was constructed using iron. During the procession, the ‘Rath’ accidentally made contact with a 133kv overhead cable, police said.
Six people died on the spot and 15 others received burn injuries, assistant inspector general (Law & Order) Jyotishman Das Chowdhury told PTI.
The injured were undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital, he said.
Their conditions were stated to be critical, officials said.
Chief minister Manik Saha condoled the deaths.
“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,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
