Two young men died and more than 10 people suffered burns after a high-tension power line came into contact with a wire being lifted over an idol immersion procession in Jabalpur district around 1 am on Thursday, according to officials cited in a report by the Times of India.
The incident occurred in the Majhauli police station area when an idol from Civil Lines was being transported on a tractor-trolley to Narili Pond for immersion. More than 50 people were accompanying the procession, the report said.
A wire was being lifted to clear the route when it came into contact with the high-tension line. The wire then snapped and fell onto the tractor-trolley, electrocuting people on and around the vehicle. The incident brought together several public-safety risks associated with processions using roads beneath overhead electrical infrastructure, although the report did not specify the voltage of the line or identify the agency responsible for the wire.
Vikas Rajput, 22, and Prince Chauhan, 23, were on the tractor when the wire fell and died on the spot. Among those seriously injured were Mayank Rajput, Vicky Raikwar, Manish Rajput and Ayush Raikwar. More than 10 people were reported to have suffered burns in the incident.
The injured were initially taken to the Majhauli health centre before being referred to Jabalpur Medical College in critical condition. The report did not provide a complete list of the injured or a detailed medical update on their condition.
The incident also triggered allegations of negligence at the Majhauli health centre. It was alleged that no medical staff were present when the injured arrived and that a doctor reached the facility about 30 minutes later. By that time, Vikas and Prince had already died, according to the report.
The circumstances described in the report raise questions about how routes for large public processions are assessed when they pass below or near overhead power lines. Such movements require coordination between organisers, local administration, police, electricity authorities and health facilities, but the supplied report did not state whether a route inspection, electrical shutdown or formal safety clearance had been arranged before the procession began.
The report also did not mention any official announcement on compensation, an investigation, arrests or action against those responsible. Further details on the electrical line, the procession route and the response by local authorities were not immediately available in the supplied account.
