Two among those killed were children
At least 11 people died and 15 others were injured after electrocution during a chariot procession at a temple in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district early this morning, police said.
Police said the incident occurred when the temple palanquin or temple car they were standing on came into contact with a high-transmission line at Appar Madam temple in Kalimedu.
"The temple palanquin faced some obstacle while taking a turn when it came into contact with the overhead line," officials said.
Two among those killed were children, officials said, adding that the injured have been admitted to the nearby hospital for treatment.
"A case has been registered in the matter and investigation is underway," said V Balakrishnan, Inspector General of Police, Central Zone, Tiruchirappalli.
A senior police official told NDTV that normally power line along the temple car route is turned off to avoid any untoward incident.
"However, the palanquin was not tall enough to touch the high-transmission line, and thus the power supply was not turned off this time. But it seems the decorative structure increased its height, and consequently, it came into contact with the live wire," the official said.
A video of the incident shows the chariot was completely destroyed after coming into contact with the live wire.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and said he was "deeply pained". Mr Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who were killed in the incident.
The Chief Minister also instructed the authorities to ensure the best treatment for the injured.
