How drone filming 26/11 tribute event added fuel to Khandwa fire: 12 critical among 50 injured

Courtesy: X

Over 50 persons, including women and children, were injured during a flaming torch procession at Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh.

The incident happened around Thursday midnight when the procession was culminating at the Clow Tower in the city, Khandwa District Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Rai was quoted by PTI.

The burning torches were being turned upside down and put in a water-filled container to douse them when a cloud of flame suddenly enveloped the spot. The flames erupted after oil spilled from the torches. Among the injured, 12 are in critical condition, the NDTV report said.

#Khandwa Ghantaghar #fire: A major fire erupted during a martyr's procession in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, injuring 50 people, 11 critically. The incident occurred when spilled #torch oil ignited, causing a rapid spread of flames among approximately 200 participants. #Mashal pic.twitter.com/Y3ObYPksDu
Dr. Sandeep Seth (@sandipseth) November 29, 2024

NDTV quoted victims who explained that as the torches were being extinguished, a drone was filming the event. The flames intesified by gusts of wind created by the drone.

The torch procession is taken out every year in memory of three persons, including policeman Sitaram Batham, killed by members of the banned Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) on November 28, 2009.

Hyderabad BJP MLA T Raja addressed the gathering at the start of the procession, where tributes were also paid to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.