Four electrocuted during church festival in Tirunelveli

Four devotees were today electrocuted and 20 others suffered injuries, when a palanquin carrying the statue of 'Velankanni Matha' in a village in the district, came in contact with a high tension wire, police said.
The incident occurred around 8.30 AM when hundreds of people had gathered in the coastal village to attend the annual festival of the Annai Velankanni Church, they said.
The palanquin, which was taken out on a procession through the streets, came in contact with an overhead live wire, and as a result, the devotees who were carrying it on their shoulders were electrocuted.
While Clive (22), Raja (35), Raj (19) and Nimson (21) of Barathar Uvari village died on the spot, 20 others sustained injuries and have been admitted to Tirunelveli government medical college hospital, police said.

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Meanwhile, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa condoled the

death of the four persons and expressed grief over the incident.
The Chief Minister announced a relief of Rs one lakh each to the families of the deceased persons, Rs 50,000 to persons who had sustained severe injuries and Rs 25,000 to those with minor injuries.
She directed officials concerned that the relief amount be given from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund.
Jayalalithaa said she has deputed Ministers Kadambur Raju and VM Rajalakshmi, besides Tirunelveli Collector M Karunakaran, to meet the families of the victims and console them, and also ensure all medical facilities were promptly being given to the injured.