The death toll in the Tripura chariot tragedy rose to eight with the death of a critically ill woman, Ratna Dhar, on July 4 night at Agartala Govt Medical College Hospital, who has been under-treated with severe burn injuries, police sources said on July 5.
At least seven people, including three children, died on the spot, and 20 others were seriously injured after a chariot caught fire touching a high-voltage electricity line on the national highway during the procession of Phera Rath, symbolising the return of Lord Jagannath in the chariot, on June 28 at Kumarghat in Unokoti district of Tripura.
“She is among the three persons who sustained critical injuries and was kept under observation in the intensive care unit of the hospital. Eventually, she succumbed to her injuries after a weeklong battle,” police said on July 5.
Meanwhile, members of ISKCON, who were the organisers of the procession, visited the victim families in Kumarghat, handed over Rs 1 lakh in compensation to the next of kin of the deceased, and said they would provide assistance to the injured families.
