Eleven persons, including three boys, died in an high-voltage electrocution accident during a religious procession at Kalimedu near here on Wednesday, April 27, 2022.

Inquiries reveal that the victims were participating in a cart procession organised in memory of Tamil Saivaite saint Thirunavukkarasar, by a local prayer club formed and run by the villagers for more than nine decades, when the mishap took place.

The mangled remains of the cart after the tragedy.

The 25 to 30 feet electrical serial bulb decoration on the cart unexpectedly came into contact with the high voltage line passing through the village, at around 2-45 a.m.

In the impact, the cart went up in flames, damaging the idol of Sri Apparperuman (Saint Thirunavukkarasar) that was placed on the cart.

The decorated hand-pulled cart was on its way back to the hall after the culmination of the night long procession that commenced on Tuesday night.

While 10 persons died on the spot, 13 others were rushed to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital.

Later at around 7 a.m., Bharanitharan (13), one among the injured persons, succumbed to the injuries at the hospital.

President condoles death

President Ram Nath Kovind condoled the death of 11 persons in the Kalimedu fire tragedy.

PM expresses anguish, annnounces relief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his anguish over 11 people getting electrocuted during the chariot procession in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district.

“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,” the Prime Minister said. He also announced ₹2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given ₹50,000, the Prime Minister annuonced.

TN CM announces relief

Earlier, Chief Minister Stalin announced ₹5 lakh solatium from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund to the victims’ families. The Chief Minister will be visiting the hospital to enquire those who got injured in the Kalimedu village fire accident. Mr. Stalin directed the authorities to provide the the best medical care to those injured in the fire accident.

( With inputs from Nistula Hebbar)