NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, APRIL 27
As many as 11 people, including children, died after they were electrocuted during Appar temple chariot procession in Kalimedu of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. Fifteen others have been seriously injured in the incident.
Deeply pained by the mishap in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I hope those injured recover soon: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 27, 2022
The incident took place when the temple car was negotiating a turn and faced some obstacle before being reversed when it came in to contact with a overhead high tension transmission line, news agency PTI reported police and eye witnesses as saying.
Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the mishap in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 27, 2022
The people who were standing on the chariot were thrown in the impact. Visuals show that the chariot got completely damaged in the impact. Emergency services and district officials rushed to the spot after getting the information about the incident.
தஞ்சாவூர் மாவட்டம் களிமேடு கிராமத்தில் மின்சார விபத்தில் உயிரிழந்தவர்களின் குடும்பத்தாருக்கு ஆறுதல் மற்றும் நிவாரண உதவிகளை மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் @mkstalin அவர்கள் அறிவித்துள்ளார். pic.twitter.com/v4FSMClq0q
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) April 27, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Wednesday extended condolences and relief to the families of the victims of the electrocution incident that took place during a chariot process in the state’s Thanjavur region.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) through their Twitter account said, “Hon’ble Chief Minister extends condolences and relief to the families of the victims of the power outage in Kalimedu village in Thanjavur district.”
The Central and state governments have announced financial assistance to the victims of the incident.
Balakrishnan Inspector General of Police, Tiruchi Range said, “A total of 11 people have died. Three people died on the spot and seven died in the hospital. 15 people are injured and have been taken to Thanjavur Medical College for treatment. FIR has been filed and an investigation into the matter has started,” reported by ANI.
Also, the police officials stated that the incident occurred after the temple car came in contact with a high voltage power line and went up in flames.
Balakrishnan further said that “Prima facie it suggests that some high tension wire came in contact with the temple car (of chariot festival) during the annual chariot festival in the Kallimedu village,” adding, “The temple car was negotiating a turn and faced some obstacle before being reversed when it came in contact with the overhead line.”
The CMO has announced Rs5 lakh each and the PMO has announced Rs 2 lakh each as financial assistance to the families of the 11 people who died in the incident.