Bahraich (UP), Nov 3 (PTI) Four children were injured after a water-filled tank burst during a ‘Jalpari’ (mermaid) show at an Urs fair in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district, police said on Tuesday.
Around 20-25 people were watching the show when the incident took place late Monday night at the Dada Miyan Urs fair in Khalepur village, under the Fakharpur police station area.
The transparent glass tank, which contained thousands of litres of water, burst due to excessive water pressure, shattering the glass and sending water and glass fragments flying across the venue, police said.
A young woman dressed as a mermaid was performing underwater stunts while holding her breath inside the tank when the accident occurred, Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Ayush Vikram Singh said.
The four injured children were taken to the Fakharpur Community Health Centre. Two were discharged after receiving primary treatment, while the other two, who sustained serious injuries, were referred to Bahraich Medical College for further treatment, police said.
The ASP said the organisers had obtained permission only for the religious Urs proceedings but had set up the fair and were operating the mermaid show, swings and other attractions without administrative permission.
A case has been registered against seven organisers under relevant sections for allegedly holding activities without permission and negligence, among other charges.
Four of them have been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace the remaining three, he said.
The administration has ordered the immediate closure of all fair-related activities except the religious proceedings for which permission had been granted, the ASP added.
