Tumakuru: More than 80 people suffered burns while walking on burning charcoal as part of a vow to the deity at Hettenahalli in the taluk early Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred at around 5 am at the Maramma temple belonging to the Muzrai department. Thousands of people from eight villages in the area had gathered for the ritual.
As soon as the holy water was sprinkled at the entrance of the temple, the devotees mistook it to be a signal for starting the ritual. There was a rush and people started running on the fire. Nagaraj, a devotee, fell down in the melee and suffered burns.
This resulted in those behind him falling in a heap. They could not see what was happening due to the ash that filled the air. The injured were rushed to hospital in ambulances and police vehicles by 6 am.
As many as 13 people who had suffered 40% to 50% burns were taken to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, reported Deccan Herald.
MLA B Suresh Gowda blamed officials for the delay of four hours for the ambulances to arrive for taking those severely burnt to Victoria Hospital. He said proper arrangements had not been made by the district administration for the festival, which resulted in the tragedy.
Gowda demanded that a judicial probe be ordered into the incident and that the tahsildar and sub-inspector should be suspended. Deputy Commissioner K P Mohan Raj, district Superintendent of Police G B Manjunath and other officials visited the hospital.
5 patients critical
According to Dr K T Ramesh, HOD, Burns Ward, Victoria Hospital, 22 of the injured were admitted to the burns ward in the evening.
“The condition of five of them is critical. The others are fine and are being treated. We are told that more people would be shifted here by tomorrow,” he added.