Puri, April 12: A festive evening turned into a nightmare in Bhavanipur village under the Krushnaprasad block of Puri district when a 14-year-old boy died after coming into contact with a live transformer during a Ramlila performance.

The victim, a Class 8 student, was among the hundreds of spectators who had gathered to watch the traditional folk drama late at night.

The accident occurred shortly after the performance began. As the actor portraying the character of Hanuman made a sudden and dramatic entrance onto the stage, the young boy was reportedly startled. In a state of panic, he ran away from the crowd and toward the periphery of the performance area. In his confusion and fear, he accidentally rushed into a nearby electrical transformer, resulting in a severe and immediate electric shock.

Bystanders and village elders acted quickly to help the boy, rushing him to the Chilika Nuapada Community Health Centre. Despite their efforts, medical professionals at the facility declared him dead on arrival.

The news of the student's sudden passing has left the local community in a state of shock and mourning.