Tripura: Two Children Among Six Electrocuted During Rath Yatra, 15 Injured

The Rath, which was made of iron, was being pulled by thousands of people when it came in contact with a 133 kv overhead cable, police said.

Crowd of devotees during the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: In a tragic incident, six people died, including two children, and 15 others were injured as a Rath caught fire after it came in contact with a high-tension electric wire in Tripura's Unakoti district on Wednesday, police said, reported news agency PTI. According to the police, the incident took place around 4.30 pm in Kumarghat area during the 'Ulta Rath Yatra' festival of Lord Jagannath.

During this festival, the sibling deities -- Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhdara and Lord Jagannath -- return to their abode, a week after Rath Yatra.

The Rath, which was made of iron, was being pulled by thousands of people when it came in contact with a 133 kv overhead cable, police said.

Speaking about the incident, Dr Sanjit Chakma, Medical Officer, Kymarghat Subdivision Hospital told ANI, "Two people with burn injuries were brought to the Emergency ward today. After that, 10-12 people were brought, six were dead. 6-7 people have burn injuries. A total of six people, including two children, died. Six others have been referred to District Hospital."

Chief Minister Manik Saha condoled the deaths. He tweeted, "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."

In a tragic incident, several devotees have lost their lives & some other people sustained injuries due to electrocution during Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat today.

My deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost their near and dear ones in the tragedy.

In this…

— Prof.(Dr.) Manik Saha (@DrManikSaha2) June 28, 2023

He further wrote that he is currently on his way to Kumarghat to inspect the place of the incident. "Going to Kumarghat from Agartala by train to inspect the place of occurrence where several people have lost their lives in a tragic incident today," he tweeted.

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 added.

Their conditions were stated to be critical, according to the officials.