Ten pilgrims dead, 16 others injured from electrocution in West Bengal

Ten pilgrims were electrocuted to death while 16 others got injured while they were travelling in a van from Cooch Behar district to Jalpesh Shiva temple in Jalpaiguri in West Bengal . The electrocution was triggered due to heavy rainfall and the short-circuit of the generator installed at the rear side of the vehicle.

The pilgrims were from Cooch Behar and were heading toward Jalpesh Shiva temple when the incident took place around 12 midnight on Sunday.

"My condolences & solidarity to the kin of 10 pilgrims of Sitalkuchi, Coochbehar who died of an accident today on way to Jalpesh temple. Rushed a Cabinet colleague to site, mobilized entire administration for rescue, help, treatment and initiated action against offending vehicle, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted. Trinamool Minister Aroop Biswas has been sent Coochbehar to the spot by West Bengal Chief Minister.


The minister will be handing over cheques to the family members of the victims. The driver of the vehicle is absconding after the tragic accident. Police has seized the vehicle and investigation has been initiated.

Altogether 36 passengers on board the van accident. Ten persons were declared brought dead at a local healthcare unit and the injured persons were referred to Jalpaiguri hospital.

Mathabhanga Additional Superintendent of Police, Amit Barma said that the short-circuit occurred when the vehicle was crossing the Dharala Bridge on the Jamaldaha-Changrabandha state highways.

“The driver of the vehicle rushed towards the Jalpaiguri district hospital,” Barma said. However, after reaching the Jalpaiguri district hospital, the driver went missing .

BJP MLA Manoj Tigga went to the hospital to meet the injured persons. "The administration should have alerted the pilgrims. Then such accident could have been averted," Tigga said.