A 71-year-old woman succumbed to burn injuries sustained after a candle she was lighting during a power outage fell on her.

According to the police, the incident occurred on June 13, 2026. The deceased, Mariyam Paily, was physically incapacitated. She was rushed to Ernakulam General Hospital after the incident and later shifted to the Government Medical College, Kottayam. The septuagenarian, a resident of Makkaparam in Elamakkara, succumbed to her injuries on Friday (July 17, 2026) morning while undergoing treatment.

“The woman had limited mobility. Our investigation found that her clothes caught fire after the candle she was trying to light fell on her. She was alone at home at the time, and neighbours came to know about the incident only later. An inquest was conducted, and a first information report was registered,” an official at the Elamakkara police station said.

Published - July 18, 2026 09:30 pm IST