India: at least 11 dead and 15 injured after being electrocuted during the procession

A religious celebration in the early hours of this Wednesday in India ended in tragedy and tears, as at least eleven people were killed and fifteen were injured after the upper part of a float participating in a procession is in contact with a power line.

Two of the fatal victims of strong electric shock they are minors.

The incident took place near a Hindu temple located in the town of Kalimedu, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The number of victims and the details of the incident were provided by a statement from the head of the regional government, Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, who regretted the incident.

According to local media, the accident happened when the festive float was trying to turn in its trajectory and the highest part of it is in contact with the high voltage networkthe nearest attendees were electrified.

Among them are two children who was killed, the local newspaper identified, with information provided by police sources.

This religious festival with its procession has been celebrated nearly a hundred times and, although the high voltage power line next to the temple is usually disconnected to prevent any incidentin this case this was not done, as the floats were unlikely to have sufficient height to contact the cables.

However, the increase in the height of the carriage this year, unknown to the authorities, led to the accident, police said on Delhi television signal NDTV.

Photos on social networks show the charred float, became a mixed ironalthough in its central part still stands the part which allegedly caused the discharge by rubbing the lines.

The head of government added in his statement that he would offer compensation of 500,000 rupees (about 6,500 dollars) to the families of the deceased.

Condolences from the Government of India

After hearing the news, the Prime Minister of India, Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi, expressed his regret over what happened.

“Extremely injured in the accident in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. My thoughts are with the grieving families at this time of grief. Hopefully the injured will recover soon,” he said on his Twitter account.

Also the president of India, Ram Nath Kovind, joined the sympathy on social networks, lamenting “the loss of life, including children, due to electrocution.”

With information from EFE

DB