Govt to bear medical expenses for Rath Jatra injured: Health Minister
The health minister made the announcement after visiting two critically injured patients admitted to the Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute.
Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths caused by electrocution during the Rath Jatra in Bogura.
He pledged that the government will bear the medical expenses of those injured in the incident.
The health minister made the announcement after visiting two critically injured patients admitted to the Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute.
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He said, "The accident during the Rath Jatra is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. Neither of the two patients admitted in the burn institute is out of danger. I am in constant contact with the doctors here and also in Bogura."
"I have spoken with the relatives of the patients and assured them that we will ensure the highest quality of treatment available," he added, noting that the Bangladesh government will cover all the medical expenses for the injured.
On Sunday (7 July) four people were instantly killed by electrocution during the Hindu community's Rath Jatra festival.
The death toll later rose to five, with over fifty others injured in the accident.
Among the victims, two critically injured people who received treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital (SZMC) in Bogura were transported to Dhaka after Sunday (7 July) midnight.
They were Shri Ranjan Pal, 52, from Palpara area of Bogura Sadar upazila and Chandan Deb, 68, from Dattabari area of the same upazila.
Confirming the matter, SZMC Deputy Director Abdul Wadud said, "A total of 38 people were admitted to our hospital yesterday. Among them, the condition of these two people was critical. Ranjan Pal has now been admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Chandan Deb to Sheikh Hasina Burn Institute."
"Currently, 28 victims of the incident, including 22 women and 6 men, are undergoing treatment at the hospital. They are mostly out of danger. Rest of the people were release after primary treatment," he added.
According to locals, the Rath Jatra started from Seujgari Iskcon temple at 5pm. On the way, the metallic dome of the Rath carriage came into contact with a high-voltage overhead electric wire in the Seujgari Amtala intersection and caught fire.
At least 25-30 people, including those on the Rath and others in the procession, sustained injuries. Five of them succumbed to their injuries after being taken to Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital.
