At least 11 people, including children, were electrocuted to death during a chariot procession at a temple in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district on Wednesday, April 27. 15 others were also injured in the incident.
According to Police, the unfortunate incident occurred when the temple palanquin or temple car touched a high-transmission line at Appar Madam temple in Kalimedu.
"The temple palanquin faced some obstacle while taking a turn when it came into contact with the overhead line," officials said.
The officials added that 2 children were among 11 people who were electrocuted to death in the incident, whereas the injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
"A case has been registered in the matter and an investigation is underway," said V Balakrishnan, Inspector General of Police, Central Zone, Tiruchirappalli.
The annual chariot festival in Tamil Nadu is attended by thousands of devotees every year. The incident has underlined negligence towards precautionary arrangements made for the procession at the Appar Madam temple.
"However, the palanquin was not tall enough to touch the high-transmission line, and thus the power supply was not turned off this time. But it seems the decorative structure increased the height of the palanquin, and consequently, it came into contact with the live wire," said a senior police official.
President Ram Nath Kovind took to Twitter to express his grief over the incident.
"The loss of life, including that of children, due to electrocution in a procession in Thanjavur is a tragedy beyond words. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," President Kovind tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted that he was "deeply pained" over the incident. The PM also announced that affected families will be provided with compensation.
