Kalimedu: As many as 11 persons, including children, died Wednesday from electrocution during a temple chariot procession in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district when it came into contact with a high tension transmission line, police said. At least 15 others have been injured in the incident. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has announced Rs 5 lakh each as financial assistance for the deceased, the CM’s office announced this morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakhs each from the PM national relief fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives. Further, those injured will be given a concession of Rs 50,000. The incident occurred in the wee hours of Wednesday at nearby Kalimedu village when the Appar temple chariot procession was being carried out.
According to reports, the temple car was bending, trying to turn when it faced some obstacle and reversed. While reversing, the chariot came in contact with the overhead line and went up in flames, police and eyewitnesses said. People standing on the chariot were thrown in the impact and electrocuted. Visuals showed the chariot completely damaged in the impact. Those who had suffered injuries have been admitted to the Thanjavur Medical College, police said.
“A case has been registered in the matter and an investigation is underway,” said V Balakrishnan, Inspector General of Police, Central Zone, Tiruchirappalli. Thousands of devotees participate in the annual chariot festival in Tamil Nadu every year. The incident has raised questions about lapses in precautionary arrangements made for the procession at the Appar Madam temple. The procession was a part of the annual chariot festival in Tamil Nadu.