Atleast 11 People Electrocuted To Death After Temple Chariot Hits High Power Tension Line During Hindu Festival

At least 11 people, including two children, were electrocuted to death after a truck decorated as a temple chariot came in contact with an overhead high power electric line during an annual Hindu festival procession in southern India, authorities said.

The shocking incident occurred early Wednesday, April 27, when the Appar temple chariot procession was underway in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu state, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported.

The 9 feet (2.7m) high hand-pulled chariot, which carried statues of Hindu deities, faced some obstacles while taking a turn and was reversing when it came in contact with the high power tension overhead line.

The impact was so strong that the people standing on the chariot were tossed out of the vehicle, PTI reported.

Three people were killed on the spot while the remaining succumbed at Thanjavur Medical College Hospital, Deputy inspector general Balakrishnan said. He added that 15 others were injured.

The chariot caught fire by the electric spark, according to reports. The idol of Sri Apparperuman (Saint Thirunavukkarasar) that was placed on the cart was also completely destroyed.

Police said investigations were underway to ascertain the exact cause of the deadly accident.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered to provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh ($ 6536 approx.) each for the kin of those killed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office tweeted that he was "deeply pained by the mishap".

"My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I hope those injured recovers soon," the statement posted on Twitter said.

The chariot procession organized by a local prayer club in memory of the Tamil Saivaite saint, Thirunavukkarasar was being celebrated by the villagers for more than nine decades.

President of India Ramnath Kovind said: "The loss of life, including that of children, due to electrocution in a procession in Thanjavur is a tragedy beyond words. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."