Kota: Live Wire Mishap Leaves 17 Children And One Woman Injured

Over seventeen children and a woman suffered burn injuries after coming in contact with a live wire during a festive procession on March 8 in Rajasthan's Kota. One of the children is in a critical state, doctors said. The incident took place in the Kali Basti area at around 11 am when a group of children between 9 and 16 years of age were carrying a flag hoisted on an iron rod that came into contact with the high-tension wire. The children were admitted to Kota’s MBS Hospital, officials said. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, district collector Ravindra Goswami, and Rajasthan Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar reportedly reached the hospital to pay a visit to the injured.

17 Children Injured By Live Wire

A procession at a housing colony in Kali Basti, Kota, turned into a horror when a group of children and a woman suffered burn injuries from a live wire. According to Arvind Bhardhwaj, the Circle Inspector of Kunhari Police Station, a group of children were part of a procession and were walking from one temple to another carrying a flag hoisted on an iron rod that came into contact with the live wire.

“An event had been organised in the colony. The children were carrying a flag hoisted on an iron rod. The rod came in contact with a high-tension wire, and children along with a woman suffered electric burns. All of them were taken to the hospital. One of the children has suffered around 70% burns and is said to be critical,” he said.

According to a report in the Times of India, another boy reportedly sustained 50% burns, while the rest suffered injuries of varying degrees. A local said the ground was wet, which caused the electrocution. "People from the Kali Basti were gathered here, a child was carrying a pipe of 20–22 feet that touched the high-tension wire. In an attempt to save that child, all the children present there were electrocuted," said Amrita Duhan, SP, Kota.

The injured were rushed to MBS Hospital in Kota, where doctors said that one of the children was in critical condition. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla arrived at the hospital and said, "It is a sad incident. There will be an investigation, and everyone will get the best treatment possible. One child is serious. If there is a need for a referral to any other hospital, we will provide that.”