India: At least six people, including two children, were killed and 15 others injured after a chariot came into contact with an overhead high-voltage electric wire in Tripura’s Unakoti district today.
According to the police, the incident took place during the “Ulto Rath” procession, which is the ‘return’ journey of the Hindu god Jagannath and his two siblings after the annual Rath Yatra festival. The chariot was made of iron and was heavily decorated. When it came into contact with an overhead electric wire, it caused a surge of electricity, killing six on the spot.
The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where many of them are said to be in critical condition. The police have launched an investigation into the incident and are trying to determine how the chariot came into contact with an electric wire.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha condoled the deaths and announce on social media that he was on his way to Kumarghat from Agartala to take stock of the situation.
