Two devotees electrocuted

The victims, identified as Muniyamma (55) and Pratap (18), were pushing the chariot of the Adiperukku festival when the tragedy occurred around 8.30 pm, eyewitnesses said.

The chariot had left the Adishakti Karumariamma Temple at Rajendranagar 7th Main and proceeded only for about 200 metres to reach 1st Cross of the locality when the iron arch decorated with flowers came in contact with the low-hanging electric wire.

Two devotees sitting on a bench erected on the chariot alighed from the vehicle as soon as the wire came in contact with the arch, but Muniyamma and Pratap who were pushing the rear wheels collapsed. Seven other devotees— Priyanka (19), Jyothi (27), Mary (48), Kalpana (25), Bhagya (19), Vasanthi (50), and Swarna Lakhsmi—who were also pushing the chariot suffered burns.

Rekha, an eyewitness, said everything had gone on well till the chariot reached the narrow lane where the wire was hanging low. “As soon as the arch touched the wire, everyone ran helter-skelter. The generator following the chariot was switched off and the injured were attended to,” she told Deccan Herald. Residents blamed the authorities for the tragedy. The wire was hanging too low and no one had bothered to check it, they alleged.

Muniyamma and Pratap were first rushed to a nearby private hospital which referred them to St John’s Hospital where the doctors declared them brought dead.

Muniyamma was a resident of Rajendranagar while Pratap, who lived at Kathriguppe, hailed from Mandya district. He came to Bangalore only two months ago, his mother Bhagyamma said. He had come to visit his aunt at Rajendranagar and decided to take part in the procession. The injured were rushed to St Philomena’s Hospital.

The Adugodi police said they would book a case of unnatural death. An investigating officer clarified that no case of criminal negligence would be booked against Bescom as the low-hanging wire was not snapped.