14 electrocuted after squall hits Barmer village

Yash Goyal

Jaipur, June 23

Fourteen persons were killed and 60 others injured after a huge tent collapsed during a religious congregation following a squall at Jasol village in Barmer district today.

Over 1,000 persons were listening to a religious discourse organised by the Rani Bhatiyani Mandir Sansthan when the incident occurred. Most of the victims were electrocuted following a short-circuit in the power supply. 

CM Ashok Gehlot ordered an administrative inquiry and Rs 5 lakh to next of kin of the deceased. Jodhpur Divisional Commissioner BL Kothari will hold the inquiry.

The tent, spread over 300 square feet, collapsed after strong winds uprooted supporting pillars, trapping people sitting under it around 3.15 pm. This was followed by heavy rain that resulted in short-circuit. A stampede-like situation prevailed as people, stuck in the muddy ground, could not escape. The ‘Ram Katha’ preacher, Murlidhar Maharaj, escaped unhurt.