At least 11 people including a number of children have been killed after being electrocuted during a religious procession.
Fifteen others have been injured following the incident which took place in India. Eleven people, including two children, were killed after a chariot came into contact with a high-transmission live wire.
Harrowing footage from the scene at a temple in Tamil Nadu, southern India, showed the chariot completely destroyed.
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Police fear the death toll will increase, as some of the 15 who were injured are in critical condition. An investigation into the incident has been launched by police in Tamil Nadu, Daily Star has reported.
Bhanupriya, a fire and rescue services official, told the BBC that the chariot's generator became stuck in a curve in the road. The top of the chariot then touched the live wire whilst people worked to dislodge it.
Eyewitness reports day that a large puddle in the road caused about 50 people to step away from the chariot just moments before contact was made with the wire. Had this not happened, the death toll could have been far greater.
Speaking to NDTV, senior police officials explained that the high-voltage live wire tends to be switched off during religious processions.
However, it was left on as the chariot wasn’t tall enough to touch it.
"But," said a senior police official, "it seems that decorations on it increased its height and it came into contact with the live wire."
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin announced that the families of those who were killed in the incident would receive 500,000 rupees (€6,188.12) in financial assistance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised 200,000 rupees (€2475.25) to the families.
He added: "I was saddened to learn of the accident in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this tragic moment. I hope the injured recover soon."
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind also shared his condolences online.
He wrote: "The loss of life, including that of children, due to electrocution in a procession in Thanjavur is a tragedy beyond words. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."
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