Two Teens Killed In Jharkhand After Chariot Comes In Contact With Wire

Two school students were killed and seven others suffered burn injuries after a Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra chariot came in contact with a high-tension electricity wire in Torpa area of Jharkhand’s Khunti district on Monday. The tragic incident occurred during the annual religious procession, leading to panic among devotees and raising concerns over safety arrangements during such large public gatherings.

The deceased have been identified as 17-year-old Chandan Kumar and 17-year-old Tijeshwar Gop, both students of Shrihari Plus Two School in Torpa. According to officials, the injured victims include Kamlesh Gop (20), Rupesh Kumar Singh (17), Armaan Alam (16), Pankaj Ram (17), Giriraj Yadav (17), Suje Lohra (13) and Nilay Ekka (17). Several injured individuals were reportedly in serious condition and were undergoing treatment at different hospitals.

According to eyewitness accounts, a large number of devotees were pulling the chariot during the procession when its upper iron structure came into contact with an overhead high-voltage electricity line. The contact reportedly caused the chariot to become electrically charged, injuring several people standing nearby. The sudden accident triggered panic at the site as people rushed to help those affected.

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Local residents immediately worked to disconnect the power supply and moved the injured to Torpa Hospital for emergency treatment. Two critically injured students were later shifted to Khunti Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared them dead. The incident left families and residents deeply shocked, with a large crowd gathering at hospital premises as relatives mourned the loss of the two teenagers.

Questions have been raised over the safety measures taken during the Rath Yatra, particularly regarding the movement of the chariot near overhead power lines. There are also differing accounts about the involvement of the students in the procession. Some residents claimed they had joined during their lunch break, while others said they were invited to assist in pulling the chariot or participated voluntarily along with devotees. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact circumstances.

Senior police and administrative officials reached the spot and began assessing the situation. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the accident and examine whether adequate precautions were followed before the procession moved through the area. The tragedy has cast a shadow over Torpa and neighbouring villages, where residents are mourning the deaths and seeking answers over the circumstances that led to the accident.

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