Bhubaneswar: Four persons sustained critical injuries after a Ganesh Puja tableau came in contact with a low-hanging 11-KV electricity wire during an immersion procession in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Sunday.

The incident occurred at around 7.40 pm when the Ganesh idol tableau, being carried on a tractor, came into contact with the overhead power line during the immersion procession at Dalit Pada under Maneswar block in Sambalpur.

The injured have been identified as Manas Ranjan Guru (35), Jaga Mahananda (28), Ganesh Pujahari (45) and Dayanidhi Sohela of Maneswar.

The injured persons were initially rushed to the Sambalpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) for treatment. Jaga Mahananda, who sustained critical injuries, was later shifted to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla.

According to reports, Mahananda suffered burns over around 30 per cent of his body, with injuries to both feet, his left hand, palm, elbow and abdomen. Pujahari sustained injuries to his thumb, head and other parts of his body, while Sohela suffered injuries to his knee, head and leg.

The tractor driver reportedly jumped from the vehicle and escaped unhurt. Manas Ranjan Guru, who was among the spectators, was reportedly dragged during the incident, according to eyewitnesses.

The incident triggered tension in the area, with local residents alleging that the authorities did not take any step to fix the low-hanging electricity wires despite repeated pleas in this regard.

They have urged the administration and the power distribution company to address the issue immediately to prevent similar accidents in the future.