Two devotees electrocuted outside Awshaneshwar temple in Barabanki

LUCKNOW: Two devotees were electrocuted and several others injured outside the historic Awshaneshwar Mahadev temple after they came in contact with an iron pipe and tin shed that had reportedly developed an electric current in Barabanki district in the wee hours of Monday.

DM Barabanki, Shashank Tripathi, confirmed to TOI that two people died and 19 were injured.

The structure was installed for the safety and convenience of devotees amid the ongoing monsoon season.

Police said that the identities of the deceased were being ascertained.

Local authorities and police personnel reached the spot immediately after the incident and initiated necessary procedures.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the accident occurred when both victims tried to take shelter under the tin shed during rainfall. Preliminary reports suggest that faulty wiring or leakage may have caused the structure to become live with electricity.

"The administration has launched an inquiry into the matter, and the local power department has been asked to inspect the site," said Sameer Singh, police circle Officer Haidergarh.