Tamil Nadu: 11 people die after being electrocuted during procession

11 people, including 2 children, died after being electrocuted when a chariot that was a part of a temple procession in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur came in contact with a high-tension electricity wire.

The procession had started close to midnight and the incident happened around 3am when the dome and high decorations of the chariot touched a high-tension wire.

The temple car was negotiating a turn and faced some obstacle before being reversed when it came in to contact with the overhead line, police and eyewitnesses said. The people standing on the chariot were thrown in the impact.

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According to media reports, the deceased were part of the group that was pulling the chariot. At least 15 people who were injured are being treated in a hospital.

The Prime Minister has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the victim’s families and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has declared a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kind of the deceased.