In a tragic accident during the ‘Ulta Rath’ procession in Kumarghat, Unakoti district of Tripura, six people, including three women and two children, lost their lives after a chariot carrying Lord Jagannath came into contact with high-tension power transmission lines on Wednesday. The incident left 15 others injured. Shocking video footage of the electrocution incident quickly spread across social media platforms, capturing the horrifying moment.
The incident happened around 4.30 PM in the Kumarghat area during the ‘Ulta Rath Yatra’ which marks the return journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings — Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhdara — after the conclusion of the annual Rath Yatra festival. Unfortunately, tragedy struck as the crest of the chariot made contact with the overhead power lines, leading to fatal electrocutions.
The victims have been identified as Sima Pal (33), Sushmita Baishya (30), Suma Biswas (28), Rupak Das (40), Rohan Das (9), and Shan Malakar (9), each succumbing to the electric shock. Authorities are currently collecting details on the injured, who have been admitted to the Unakoti District Hospital in Kailasahar. Some of the injured individuals are reported to be in critical condition, warranting immediate medical attention.
Assistant Inspector General (Law and Order) Jyotishman Das Chowdhury provided updates on the situation, stating, “We are collecting details on the injured persons who have been admitted to Unakoti District Hospital in Kailasahar. Some of them are known to be critical.”
Upon learning of the tragic incident, Chief Minister Manik Saha expressed his condolences and immediately traveled to Kumarghat to assess the situation.
He took to Twitter to express his sympathies, saying, “In a tragic incident, several devotees have lost their lives & some other people sustained injuries due to electrocution during Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat today. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost their near and dear ones in the tragedy. In this difficult time, the State Government stands by the side of the affected families.”
Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, the Royal Scion and TIPRA Motha party chief, also conveyed his condolences and urged his party legislators and members of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) to extend all possible assistance. Taking to Twitter, he wrote, “Hearing about a terrible incident in Kumarghat during Rath Yatra, my prayers and condolences to all those who have been affected.