Tamil Nadu: 11 killed after temple chariot hits high-tension cable during procession in Thanjavur

Thanjavur temple news: The deceased were part of the team that was pulling the chariot. Seven people died on the spot. At least 15 people who were injured in the incident are being treated in hospital. Four are critical.

• Chennai | Updated: April 28, 2022 06:32 AM IST
2 min read

The damaged temple chariot.

At least 11 people, including two children, were killed in the early hours of Wednesday in Kalimedu near Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, after an overhead high-voltage cable came in contact with a temple chariot during a procession.

The procession started around midnight, and the incident happened at 3 am when the dome and the decorations erected on the chariot touched a high-tension line.

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The deceased were part of the team that was pulling the chariot. Seven people died on the spot. At least 15 people who were injured in the incident are being treated in hospital. Four are critical.

Two children were among the 11 dead.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin Wednesday offered his condolences to the families of the deceased and announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also reacting to the incident, said he was deeply pained by the mishap. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I hope those injured recover soon,” he added. The Prime Minister announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the victim’s families and Rs 50,000 to the injured from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund (PMNRF).