At least 5 dead, several in critical condition after electrocution in Bogura Rath Yatra

Dozens of people have been electrocuted when the chariot of Lord Jagannath hit an electricity cable

At least five people have been killed and 40 others injured, including some critically, after being electrocuted at the Rath Yatra procession in Bogura.

Bogura Sadar Police Station chief Saihan Oliullah confirmed the toll to http://bdnews24.com after the incident in the Seujgari Amtala area around 5:15pm on Sunday.

The dead have been identified with single names as Atashi, Ranjita, Sabita, Alok, and Naresh. Their ages were not available immediately.

The chariot procession of Lord Jagannath starts in the town’s Seujgari every year, and returns to the same area after reaching Banani Shiv Temple.

But this year, before reaching Bnani, the chariot hit a high voltage overhead electricity cable at Amtali, leading to the tragedy, said witness Chitta Paul.

“Those standing on the Rath or hanging from it were electrocuted. They were rushed to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital,” he said.

Several others said the chariot’s collision with the cable sparked a fire and created huge smoke. The victims, including women and children, collapsed before anyone realised what actually happened.

The crowds started running for safety at the time, creating chaos. They later returned and rescued the injured people.

Bogura Civil Surgeon Md Shafiul Azam said 35 of the injured were admitted to the medical college hospital and five to Government Mohammad Ali Hospital.