Key Points
- 5 devotees died, 4 seriously injured after a chariot came in contact with an overhead high-tension wire in Hyderabad’s Ramnathpur (Gokulnagar) during Janmashtami procession.
- Incident occurred late Sunday night when the chariot was being manually carried after a vehicle breakdown.
- Among the injured is Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy’s gunman, Srinivas; all injured are under treatment and reported stable as per doctors.
- Police, fire, and rescue teams rushed to the spot; leaders across parties expressed condolences and sought financial aid for victims’ families.
- Demand grows for stricter safety protocols for religious processions near live power lines.
Hyderabad: A major accident marred Janmashtami celebrations in Hyderabad when a Rath Yatra chariot reportedly came into contact with an overhead high-tension electricity line in the Gokulnagar area of Ramnathpur. The incident took place late Sunday night as the procession was moving past Yadav Function Hall. Moments earlier, the vehicle ferrying the chariot had broken down, prompting nine devotees to lift and carry the chariot manually. During the manual movement, the chariot made contact with the live wire, resulting in a powerful electric shock that threw participants off their feet and triggered chaos at the scene.
Victims Identified
Authorities confirmed the deaths of:
- Krishna (21)
- Rudra Vikas (39)
- Rajendra Reddy (45)
- Srikanth Reddy (35)
- Suresh Yadav (34)
Four others sustained serious injuries, including Srinivas, a gunman attached to Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy. All injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors stated they are receiving treatment and are presently out of immediate danger.
Scene Response and Investigation
Police and rescue teams reached the site quickly, initiated relief operations, and coordinated with medical services for swift evacuation. A preliminary probe focuses on:
- Route planning and whether prior electrical safety inspections were conducted.
- Clearance levels of overhead lines along the procession path.
- Permissions, safety advisories, and crowd management protocols followed by organizers.
Officials indicated a detailed inquiry is underway to fix accountability and recommend preventive measures.
Community Grief and Support
The tragedy plunged the festive atmosphere into mourning. Families of the deceased were inconsolable as neighbors and community members gathered to offer support. Political leaders across parties expressed condolences, urging:
- Immediate ex-gratia for next of kin of the deceased.
- Full medical coverage and specialized care for the injured.
- A citywide review of procession safety standards, especially in areas with exposed overhead cables.
Why This Happened: Safety Gaps Highlighted
Religious processions involving tall structures or chariots are particularly vulnerable near overhead high-tension lines. Key risk factors often include:
- Inadequate route surveying for electrical hazards.
- Last-minute route deviations due to breakdowns or crowd pressure.
- Lack of on-ground electrical department coordination and spotters to monitor clearances.
What Should Change: Immediate Safety Protocols
- Mandatory joint route audit by police, municipal, and power utilities before any procession with tall chariots/structures.
- Real-time utility coordination during processions, including temporary power isolation where feasible.
- Height markers and “danger zone” cordons under high-tension lines, with trained marshals and spotters.
- Strict SOPs for breakdown scenarios: immobilize tall structures until utility/police clearances are revalidated.
- Public awareness campaigns for organizers and volunteers on electrical hazard prevention.
