Agartala: July 07: Five people were killed and at least 20 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.
According to police and locals, the Ratha Yatra started at the Iskcon temple in Seujgari at around 5pm. When the chariot reached the Seujgari Amtala Mor area about 15 minutes later, its top came into contact with an overhead high-voltage electric wire, causing a fire to break out.
At least 25 people on and around the chariot were injured by electrocution. They were taken to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital and Mohammad Ali District Hospital, where five were declared dead by doctors.
The others were still receiving treatment when the report was being filed.
Superintendent of Police Sudip Kumar Chakraborty said four had died at SZMCH and one at Mohammad Ali Hospital.
