Agartala: Rath Yatra in Tripura turned fatal when seven devotees, including two children, lost their lives and several others were injured after the chariot they were accompanying accidentally came into contact with an overhead wire at Kumarghat of Unakoti district on Wednesday.
Speaking exclusively with ETV Bharat, SDPO Kumarghat Kamal Debbarma said, "It was raining heavily since morning and people were gathering for the Ulto Rath Yatra. But when the devotees were pulling the chariot, it came in touch with high-voltage wire overhead. Seven persons were killed on the spot and many others were injured."
He said that police have taken all relief and rescue measures after the accident. “Soon after the incident, the fire and emergency service personnel rushed to the spot and took the injured to the nearest hospital," the official said. He further said that cops are investigating the matter. Sources from the spot said that the death toll may increase as some of the devotees were seriously injured in the mishap.
Soon after the incident, a large crowd gathered at the hospital. An eyewitness said, “When we were going in a procession, the chariot somehow got in touch with a high voltage wire above. Seven persons died while many others were injured. We rushed them to the Kumarghat Hospital and some of them are being taken to the Kailashahar Hospital for treatment. We believe the number of deceased will go up as some of them are critically injured." A large contingent of police and paramilitary forces were deployed at the place of occurrence to ensure law and order.
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