8-year-old girl among two dead in Mumbai electrocution

An eight-year-old girl and a woman were killed and four others seriously injured after they received electric shocks from a loose wire near a Ganesh festival pandal in Mumbai's Lalbaug area early on Sunday, police said.

The incident occurred at around 2am near a Pepsi-Cola stall close to Aastha Hospital on Dattaram Lad Marg in Kalachowki, when devotees were present in the area.

According to the police, the loose electrical wire allegedly came into contact with the eight-year-old girl, identified as Raghni Ghanshyam Yadav, and others nearby.

The incident resulted in burn injuries to five people, including two boys and three girls, aged between eight and 20, according to information provided by the fire brigade.

All the victims were immediately taken to Masina Hospital in Byculla for treatment. Doctors declared Raghni dead upon arrival.

A second victim, identified as 33-year-old Sujata Thorati, was taken to Global Hospital in Parel after sustaining serious injuries. She later succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment.

Police said four others were injured in the incident and remain under medical care.

The injured have been identified as Kiran Akbar Naik, 19, Tanvi Narsh Hande, 19, Sahil Sandip Tare, 19, and 12-year-old Ruhi Singh.

One of the injured girls was reportedly in critical condition and was shifted to Global Hospital in Parel for further treatment. The remaining three injured victims were admitted to the intensive care unit at Masina Hospital, where their condition was described as serious.

Following the incident, Kalachowki Police registered an FIR against nearby stall operator Kamal Shetty.

The case has been registered under Sections 106(1) and 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to alleged negligence and acts endangering life or personal safety.

Police have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the electrical wire coming into contact with the victims and to determine responsibility for the incident.

The fatal incident occurred during the Ganesh festival, when large numbers of devotees were visiting pandals and surrounding areas. The presence of temporary stalls and electrical connections in crowded festival zones has brought renewed attention to safety arrangements at such venues.

Police and other authorities are investigating the electrical setup at the stall and the circumstances surrounding the loose wire. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.

Indo-Asian News Service