The accident occurred late on Monday night while a young woman dressed as a mermaid was performing underwater stunts inside the tank. Police said around 20 to 25 people were watching the show at the time.The accident occurred late on Monday night while a young woman dressed as a mermaid was performing underwater stunts inside the tank. (Representative image)Bahraich,Nov 3, 2026 14:36 ISTFour children were injured after a water-filled glass tank burst during a ‘Jalpari’, or mermaid, show at an Urs fair in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district, news agency Press Trust of India reported, citing police.The accident occurred late on Monday night while a young woman dressed as a mermaid was performing underwater stunts inside the tank.

Police said around 20 to 25 people were watching the show at the time.The incident took place at the Dada Miyan Urs fair in Khalepur village, under the Fakharpur police station area.The transparent tank, which held thousands of litres of water, burst because of excessive water pressure, sending shattered glass and water across the venue, police told PTI. Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Ayush Vikram Singh said the performer was holding her breath and performing underwater stunts when the accident occurred.The injured children were taken to the Fakharpur Community Health Centre.

Two were discharged after receiving first aid, while the other two, who suffered serious injuries, were referred to Bahraich Medical College for further treatment, police said. Singh said the organisers had obtained permission only for the religious Urs proceedings.

However, they had also set up the fair and were operating the mermaid show, swings and other attractions without permission from the administration.A case has been registered against seven organisers under relevant legal provisions for allegedly conducting activities without permission and for negligence, among other charges.Four organisers have been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace the remaining three, Singh told PTI.The administration has ordered the immediate closure of all fair-related activities, including the mermaid show and other attractions. Only the permitted religious proceedings will be allowed to continue following the accident that injured four children.- Ends