At least 11 people have died and 15 injured due to an electrocution during a chariot procession at a temple in Thanjavur district of Family Nadu on Wednesday morning, said Police.
According to the police, the incident took place after the temple palanquin came into contact with the high-transmission line at Appar Madam temple in Kalimedu.
“The temple palanquin faced some obstacle while taking a turn when it came into contact with the overhead line,” said the officials.
Out of the 11 died, two were children and the injured have been transferred to the nearby hospitals for their treatment.
“A case has been registered in the matter and investigation is underway,” said Inspector General of Police, V Balakrishnan of Tiruchirpalli.
However, the power line around the temple palanquin route are generally turned off to avoid any such incident, said a police official.
“However, the palanquin was not tall enough to touch the high-transmission line, and thus the power supply was not turned off this time. But it seems the decorative structure increased the height of the palanquin, and consequently, it came into contact with the live wire,” said police official.
A video of the incident shows the chariot was completed destroyed in the electrocution.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed his deep condolences over the incident and announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh to each family who lost their closed one in the incident.
The Chief Minister even asked the officials to make sure those who are under treatment are treated well.
