Five people were killed and around 50 injured – some of them critically – by electrocution during Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, in Bogra’s Seujgari area on Sunday afternoon.
The deceased were Alok Sarkar, 40, Atashi Rani, 40, Ranjita Mohonto, 60, Naresh Mohonto, 65, and another unidentified woman.
DMP issues traffic advisory for Ratha Yatra on SundayAccording to witnesses, including chariot driver Govinda, at around 5pm the Ratha Yatra started at the Iskcon temple in Seujgari, as it does every year.
A large number of people participated, with some riding in the chariot and others walking along holding the ropes. About 15 minutes later, when the chariot reached Seujgari Amtala, the metal dome of the chariot came into contact with a high-voltage overhead wire, causing it to catch fire.
Some 50 men and women were electrocuted and injured. They were rescued and admitted to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital (SZMCH) and Mohammad Ali District Hospital.
Four people died at SZMCH and one died at Mohammad Ali Hospital.
Dr Abdul Wadud, deputy director of the hospital, said 35 people had been admitted to SZMCH, with two critically injured patients in the ICU.
Nasrul Hamid, the state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the deaths.
In a condolence message at night, he extended his deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased, terming the incident tragic.
He wished the injured a speedy recovery and ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the cause of the tragedy, emphasizing the need for increased public awareness initiatives.
