Bhadrak: Two persons died while 10 others were injured when a DJ vehicle came in contact with an 11 KV live electric wire during a religious procession in Tihidi block of Odisha’s Bhadrak district on Monday night.
The deceased have been identified as Sarat Mahalik (35) from Arasa village and Manas Mallick (34) from Hatuari village.
According to sources, the mishap took place during the Patua Jatra procession from Hatuhari to the Kantimangala shrine in Nuananda panchayat when someone climbed onto the DJ vehicle and accidentally touched the high-voltage wire. The height of the vehicle also contributed to the accident.
The burn victims were initially admitted to a hospital at Tihidi and later referred to Bhadrak district headquarters hospital, where the duo was pronounced dead on arrival. Among the injured are a woman, a child, and a minor girl. Two including the critically injured minor were later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for better treatment.
Meanwhile, police have seized the DJ vehicle and launched a manhunt to trace its driver, who fled the scene.
District collector Dilip Routray confirmed that the DJ truck was operating without the required police permissions.
