The death toll in the ISKCON Ulto Rath Yatra tragedy at Kumarghat in Tripura increased to 10 with the death of another critically injured woman. The death occurred exactly after one month of the unprecedented mishap.
The deceased woman, identified as Ruma Ghosh (30), was among the three seriously injured individuals who were sent to Delhi for medical treatment by the Government of Tripura. Ironically, Ruma Ghosh succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment in Delhi on Friday, leaving behind her daughter, Diya Ghosh, who is currently fighting for her life in Delhi. It may be noted, Diya Ghosh’s seven-year-old sister, Priyanka Ghosh who was the youngest daughter of the deceased Ruma Ghosh also lost her life on the day of the incident.
The ISKCON temple at Kumarghat grandly celebrated the Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath this year. However, disaster struck as the chariot during the Ulto Rath on June 28 last as it changed its pre-scheduled route while transporting Lord Jagannath from the Motor stand area of Kumarghat. While travelling in the new route, the chariot’s top came into contact with a high-powered electricity transmission line along the Assam Agartala National Highway of Kumarghat.
The chariot’s top and a section of the chariot were made of iron, and when they came into contact with the high-power electric wire, several people holding the chariot were electrocuted. Six individuals lost their lives on the spot, while about fifteen others sustained serious injuries. Among the injured were seven-year-old Priyanka Ghosh, her elder sister Diya Ghosh, and their mother Ruma Ghosh. They were rushed to Agartala, but sadly, Priyanka Ghosh passed away during the journey.
Following the initiative of the State Government, three critically injured victims were transferred to Delhi for advanced medical care. Unfortunately, two of them could not be saved, and Diya Ghosh remains the only patient currently battling for her life in Delhi.