Two people were killed and 52 sustained burn injuries after the music system of a "tazia" came within the electromagnetic field of high-tension wires in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha. A 'tazia' is a miniature replica of the tomb of Imam Hussain. It is usually made of bamboo, decorated with colourful paper or fabric. The incident occurred in Patei Khalsa village under the Didoli police station area, Superintendent of Police Aditya Langeh, told PTI.
The deceased were identified as 35-year-old Shanu and Owasi who was 13. Their bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. About three people were transferred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, while 26 were administered first aid and sent home. The rest of the injured were admitted to the district hospital.
"The accident took place as the height of the 'tazia' was around 25 feet and the high-tension wire was located at a height of 35 feet. The 'tazia' came within the range of the magnetic field of the electricity wire, which led to the accident," Langeh told PTI.
The District Magistrate of Amroha, Rajesh Kumar Tyagi informed that the loudspeaker on the ‘tazia’ had an iron rod on it. While instructions were issued not to make these ‘tazia’ over 12 feet, the height of this tazia was 20-22 feet. He said that prima facie, the reason for the two deaths was due to electrocution but the reasons will be cleared only after the post-mortem examination.
In a separate incident in Bareilly, seven people sustained burns when a portion of the 'tazia' came in contact with a high tension cable, PTI reported. SHO of Baradari police station Abhishek Kumar said seven people sustained burn injuries in Umaria village when a portion of a 'tazia' came in contact with a high-tension electricity cable.
As a precautionary measure, the electricity supply of Bareilly city was switched off till midnight, an official of the electricity department told PTI.