External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday expressed his grief after six people were killed in a tragic fire during Mahashivratri celebrations in Mauritius. The incident took place on Sunday when a fire broke out while the pilgrims were taking out a procession on the occasion, as per BNN.
"Saddened to hear about the unfortunate tragedy that occurred during the Mahashivratri celebrations in Mauritius," Jaishankar said in a post on X. "Our condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Mauritius at this difficult time," he added.
As per the BNN report quoting Police Commissioner Anil Kumar Dip as saying, the fire was caused after a wooden and bamboo cart, that was adorned with Hindu deities, came in contact with exposed electrical wiring.
The incident killed six people while several others were injured with one in serious condition, the report added.
The victims were part of a religious group that was taking out a procession on foot towards the Grand Bassin Lake, a site revered by Maurtius' Hindu community as sacred.
A thorough investigation has been launched by the local authorities to prevent such accidents in the future.
As per a US government estimate, Hindus comprise 43 per cent of the total 1.3 million population on the African island nation.
Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritiuan Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth jointly Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated a new airstrip and St James Jetty, along with six community development projects at Agalega Island in Mauritius
Earlier on February 12, UPI and RuPay Card services were launched in the island nation by the two leaders.