Chennai

The death of 11 people by electrocution during the chariot procession of Appar Swami Temple in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday had evoked a wave of sympathy for the victims and their families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the deaths and also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin.

"Deeply pained by the mishap in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I hope that the injured recover soon," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. PM Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the Thanjavur mishap and Rs 50,000 for the injured persons.

Deeply pained by the mishap in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I hope those injured recover soon: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 27, 2022

Dr. Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed who heads the Inter Faith Harmony Foundation of India described the incident as a tragic mishap said, “This mishap has taken 11 innocent lives which include three children. This mishap has caused irreparable human loss. As President of Inter Faith Harmony Foundation of India take serious note of this tragic mishap and express my heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved families and those injured. I would urge the administration to take full care of those wounded in this incident,” Dr. Ahmed said.

Chairman of All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, Syed Naseeruddin Chishty aslso condoled the deaths in the chariot procession said, “It breaks my heart to hear about the tragic incident and the loss of lives during the temple yatra. I express my earnest commiseration to the bereaved families. May the departed souls of the tragedy rest in peace and may the Almighty God give the affected people the strength to endure this great pain. I appeal to the Central and the State governments to enhance the amount of compensation,” Chishty said. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a compensation of Rs five lakh to the families of victims who died of electrocution during the chariot procession of Appar Swami Temple in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

BJP chief JP Nadda and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also etweeted their condolences. 

Deeply pained by the news of the untimely demise of many precious lives in an accident during the procession in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.

I pray to Almighty God to grant Sadgati to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved family members.

।। ॐ शांति ।।

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) April 27, 2022

I was deeply pained to hear about the casualties in the tragic accident at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. My condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for those injured to have a speedy recovery.

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) April 27, 2022

Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the mishap in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 27, 2022

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of the victims. "Rs 5 lakh of compensation will be immediately provided to the to the families of victims (in electrocution incident) from Chief Minister's Relief Fund," said the Chief Minister's office. The Chief Minister also expressed grief over the death of 11 people in the incident. "This morning in Kalimedu village of Thanjavur district, unexpectedly at the chariot festival eleven people died in the electrocution incident. I was deeply saddened to hear the tragic news. My deepest condolences to the families of the victim," said CM Stalin.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered and an investigation has started into the incident. "A total of 11 people have died. Three people died on the spot and seven died in the hospital. 15 people are injured and have been taken to Thanjavur Medical College for treatment. FIR has been filed and an investigation into the matter has started," said V. Balakrishnan Inspector General of Police, Tiruchi Range.

The incident took place in Kalimedu village after a temple car, part of an annual chariot procession of Appar Swami Temple in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, came in contact with a high voltage overhead line. In Tamil Nadu during the course of a religious procession a Chariot carrying devotees hit the high tension cable and