At least five persons died and 30 others were injured after being electrocuted during Ratha Yatra (chariot procession) in Bogura town on Sunday afternoon.
Four of the deceased were identified as Ranjita, 60, of Shahjahanpur upazila, Noresh Mohonta, 40, of Adamdighi upazila, Atoshi Rani, 40, of Sadar upazila, and Alok Kumar, 42 of Shibghanj upazila. The fifth victim is a woman, aged around 30.
Conditions of some of the injured are critical, said Sudip Chakrabarty, superintendent of police in Bogura.
The Ratha Yatra is one of the major festivals of the Hindu community.
Of the injured, 12 persons were being treated at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, Bogura. Police and locals said the
Ratha Yatra, participated by several thousand devotees, started from Seujgari ISKCON Temple at 5:00pm.
When the procession reached Amtala intersection around 5:15pm, the dome of the Ratha came in contact with the overhead electric wire. As the dome was made of steel, it electrocuted those holding it and caught on fire.
The videos posted on social media show that people were in a festive mode and suddenly started screaming “fire” after the incident happened.
Many were seen running for shelter while some were trying to help in the rescue operation.
