The incident took place after a temple car came in contact with a live wire during a chariot festival. Former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader was seen consoling the victims’ families.
At least 15 people are said to be injured, with the police officials estimating that the death toll could mount.
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin met the injured at the Thanjavur Government Medical College and Hospital. He has announced financial assistance of ₹1 lakh each for the severely injured and for the injured. The chief minister also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
The state government has also announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh to the kin of the deceased. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Relief Fund will also be given to the relatives of those killed in the fire at a hotel in Chennai on Saturday.
In connection with the case, a FIR has been filed, and an investigation is underway.
The Special Investigation Team, which is investigating the 2017 Kodanad heist-murder case, recently questioned Sasikala, a close aide of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa.
Thieves allegedly broke into a bungalow belonging to former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s estate in the southern Indian city of Chennai. Some articles had gone missing and a watchman was found murdered. Later, a driver at the estate, Kanagaraj, also died in an accident.
