At least 11 people were killed and 15 others injured after electrocution occurred during a chariot procession at a temple in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district this morning. Police said the incident took place when the temple palanquin on which people were standing came in contact with a high-transmission line at the Upper Temple in Kalimedu.
Officials said two children were among those killed. The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Tiruchirappalli Central Zone Inspector General of Police V Balakrishnan said, “A case has been registered in connection with the accident and investigation is on.”
A senior police officer told NDTV that to avoid any untoward incident, power lines are usually switched off on the temple car route.
“However, the palanquin was not tall enough to touch the high-transmission line, and thus the power supply was not cut off this time. But it seems that the height of the palanquin was increased due to the decorative structure,” the official said. , and as a result, it came into contact with the live wire.”
In a video of the incident, it can be seen that the chariot was completely destroyed after coming in contact with the live wire. Significantly, every year a large number of devotees participate in the annual chariot festival in Tamil Nadu.