6 dead, 15 injured as Rath catches fire after coming in contact with high-tension wire in Tripura's Unakoti district

Six people were killed and 15 others injured on Wednesday after being electrocuted when a huge iron made chariot came into contact with the overhead high tension electric wire in Tripura’s Kumarghat.

Authorities fear that the number of casualties will further increase. A police spokesman said in Agartala that the chariot on the occasion of “Ulto Rath”, in the return journey as part of the annual Rath Yatra procession, was carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings -- Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra.

A Police officer said that six people were brought dead. “Local power lines were shut down prior to the procession.”


Chief minister Manik Saha tweeted, “Going to Kumarghat from Agartala by train to inspect the place of occurrence where several people have lost their lives in a tragic incident today”.