Over 30 people, including women and children, sustained burn injuries when a fire raged out of control during a torch procession in the district town of Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, late on Thursday evening.
Khandwa Superintendent of Police Manoj Rai said the event was a “tribute programme” and that organisers had obtained permission for the rally.“During the conclusion of the event at Ghantaghar, the torches held by participants tilted while being placed down, which caused nearby torches to ignite suddenly. Several people, including women, children, and men standing nearby, sustained burns primarily on their hands, faces, and legs. Around 30 injured individuals were brought to the district hospital. Eighteen were discharged after treatment, while 12 remain under care. Everyone is out of danger,” said Rai. The torch rally began around 11 pm. Around 200 torches were lit, and the mishap took place during the rally’s culmination at Ghantaghar Chowk about half an hour later.
Officials are investigating allegations that a mixture of inflammables—sawdust and camphor—in the torches fuelled the fire, exacerbating the situation and resulting in widespread injuries.
A video of the event shows participants running frantically as flames leapt out of control. The injured were immediately rushed to the district hospital, where police and administrative officials arrived to assess the situation.
