At least three persons died due to electrocution while many others received severe burn injuries after coming into contact with a high tension wire during Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra procession at Dungra village near Vapi town in Valsad district today, a police official said.
Dungra police sub-inspector G N Solanki said that the while procession was heading back to the temple, the main chariot of Lord Jagannath came into contact with an overhead high tension line.
"The incident took place near Gurudwara in Dungra village during Rath Yatra today evening. Those who were pulling the chariot, received a huge jolt after the flag pole on top of the chariot touched an overhead electricity wire at around 6 pm," the police official said.
Since it was raining today, electricity quickly passed to those who were pulling the chariots using ropes, which got wet due to rain, the police official said.
"Due to the high voltage current, three people died on the spot, while more than 12 received severe burn injuries due to the jolt. They are now being treated at various hospitals in nearby Vapi town. We are yet to identify the deceased," the police official said.
