The Ulto (return) Rath Yatra procession of Lord Jagannath took a deadly turn as 10 individuals lost their lives due to electrocution in Tripura and Odisha. The incident occurred on Wednesday when the chariots came into contact with high-tension wires, resulting in a series of unfortunate accidents.
The ‘Phera Rath Yatra’ (return car festival) in the Unokoti district of Tripura witnessed the most severe consequences, with seven people, including three children, losing their lives in the tragic incident. Additionally, 20 others sustained injuries during the procession. Meanwhile, in Odisha’s Keonjhar and Koraput districts, three individuals lost their lives in two similar incidents. Authorities fear that the death toll in Tripura may rise as six people remain in critical condition.
The fatal incident unfolded during the return journey of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities, organized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) at Kumarghat in northern Tripura. As the chariot, constructed with iron and wood, made a turn on the national highway, its tip accidentally came into contact with an electric wire. The individuals who were touching the iron part of the chariot suffered from electrocution. The intensity of the situation became apparent as onlookers witnessed the victims being burned alive on the streets. Due to the chariot catching fire, bystanders were unable to assist those who fell on the road. It was only after the power line was disconnected and fire tenders arrived that the situation was brought under control, albeit too late.
Among the victims are Ruhan Das, his father Rahul Das, three middle-aged women, and two children—a girl and a boy. Heartbroken by the loss of life, Tripura, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the family of each deceased individual and Rs 2.5 lakh for the injured. He also initiated an investigation into the incident, demanding an examination of how such a tall chariot was allowed on the road and how high-tension electric lines were installed on the national highway. Dr Saha expressed his condolences, acknowledging that no amount of compensation can alleviate the pain of the families affected by this tragedy but assured that the government would extend its support to the best of its ability.
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