The incident occurred late Sunday night (Oct 5) when a pipe on the truck carrying the idol touched the high-tension line. Representative image: courtesy Wikimedia Commons
2 killed, over 30 injured as vehicle with Durga idol brushes live wire in MP's Jabalpur
The vehicle allegedly touched an 11,000 KV high-tension power line late Sunday night (Oct 5), resulting in the electrocution of 35 people; 33 are hospitalised, but are in stable condition
Two men were allegedly electrocuted to death, and over 30 others were injured in the Gaura Bazar area of Jabalpur city in Madhya Pradesh when a vehicle transporting an idol of Goddess Durga came into contact with a high-tension power line, an official said on Monday (October 6).
The incident occurred late Sunday night (October 5) when a pipe on the truck carrying the idol touched the high-tension line. This resulted in a current surge, Additional Superintendent of Police Anjana Tiwari told PTI.
Initial reports indicated that two men were killed, while around 10 to 15 others experienced electrocution, the ASP said.
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‘Injured persons are stable’
However, a duty doctor, Nitin Yadav, told PTI Videos at the Government Victoria Hospital that a total of 35 individuals arrived at the hospital. Among them, two were pronounced dead, while 33 others were admitted to various wards, including the ICU, for treatment. The condition of the injured individuals is stable, he added.
According to information received, the idol, installed for Navratri in Temar Bhita locality, was being transported for immersion on Sunday night. The vehicle carrying the idol was decorated with iron poles, which allegedly came into contact with an 11,000 KV high-tension line, leading to the electrocution, according to an eyewitness.
The deceased victims have been identified as Chintu Vishwakarma, 38, and Akhilesh Patel, 48, both of whom were occupants of the vehicle, an official said.
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Police file case
The police have registered a case and are further investigating the matter.
Upon receiving information about this incident, State Public Works Minister Rakesh Singh, regional MLA Ashok Rohani, District Collector Raghvendra Singh, and Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay visited the hospital and took stock of the situation.
(With agency inputs)