Mermaid show tank bursts at Bahraich fair injuring 15 people
Four children were among those hurt when a 20,000-litre water tank shattered during a performance in Khalepur village.
Fifteen people, including four children, were injured when a water tank used for a mermaid show burst at the Urs fair in Khalepur village on Monday night, according to Bhaskar English.
The accident occurred around 9 pm at the fair in Khalepur, located under Fakharpur, about 20 km from the district headquarters. The tank, which held nearly 20,000 litres of water, shattered and released the liquid with force, causing glass shards to hit spectators.
The surge of water swept some children several metres away, while flying glass fragments pierced the heads, faces, and mouths of several people. A performer dressed as a mermaid was also injured in the incident.
Police and local residents moved the injured to the nearest Community Health Centre (CHC). Two children were sent to a different hospital for further medical care after glass fragments became lodged in their heads and faces.
City Superintendent of Police Ayush Vikram Singh said the tank burst because the water pressure was too high. He stated that police have detained four people, including the mermaid show operator and the fair committee president, and have registered cases against seven people.
Fakharpur station in-charge Rajkumar Rajbhar said that no permission had been obtained for the mermaid show. This year marked the first time the show was organised at the three-day annual fair.