Agartala/IBNS: Seven people died and at least 20 were injured when a chariot caught fire during a Rath Yatra procession after it touched a high-tension electricity line at Kumarghat in Tripura's Unokoti district on Wednesday evening.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha rushed to Kumarghat by train following the chariot tragedy during the celebration of Phera Rath (Return car festival).

Police said six of the injured were shifted to Agartala Govt Medical College from Kailashahar district hospital in a critical condition and others were treated in local hospitals. The deceased were identified as Rahul Das (40) and his son Ruhan Das (9), Shan Malakar (9), Suma Biswas (28), Sima Paul (33), and Susmita Baishya (30).

The incident occurred when the tall chariot made of iron and wood chariot got in touch with an 11 KV high-tension electric line at Block Chowmuhani.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) organised the celebration of the return chariot festival. When the chariot made a turn on the National Highway, it came into contact with the electric line and immediately the people who were in touch with the iron part of the chariot got electrocuted.

“The victims were burnt on the street in front of our eyes and several were skidded on the roads but none of us dare to help them because the entire chariot was electrified. Within a few minutes power line was shut down and fire service reached the spot but the bodies were charred,” said an on-duty policeman who was escorting the procession.

The Chief Minister ordered an inquiry into the incident and asked how a tall chariot was allowed to move on the road and how a high-tension electric line was erected on the national highway.

He said: “I am deeply saddened with such a tragic incident and have no word to express the grief. The government will stand beside the victims’ families and shall find out the reason why it happened. I know nothing can compensate the families but we shall do at the best of our ability.”