Khandwa: 30 people were injured, 11 of them critically, in a fire mishap during a procession held to commemorate martyrs in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa on Thursday night. Chaos unfolded when the procession concluded, and around 200 participants placed their torches at a designated spot.
A sudden spillage of torch oil caused the flames to spread rapidly, engulfing the area in fire. The situation turned chaotic within moments as the fire intensified with several people caught in its path.
Videos from the pot showed people scrambling in all directions to escape as the fire spread, leading to a stampeded-like situation.
30 people sustained burn injuries and were rushed to the Khandwa District Hospital for treatment. Khandwa SP visited the hospital to meet the injured and assess the situation.
The torch procession had begun around 11 PM and was meant to conclude within half an hour at Ghantaghar Chowk. However, during the process of setting down the torches, some of them tipped over, spilling oil and igniting a massive fire.
The torches that people were carrying contained highly flammable materials such as wood shavings and camphor powder, which led to the severity of the fire incident.
Reports suggest that over 1,000 torches were part of the procession, though only around 200 had been lit at the time of the incident. Eyewitness accounts indicate that more than 50 people were affected by the fire, though official reports confirmed 30 have been injured.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the incident and ensuring proper medical treatment to the injured.
