A daily wage-based linesman of Palli Bidyut Samiti died after being electrocuted while installing a new electricity meter on a power pole in Sirajganj Sadar Upazila on Wednesday morning.
The accident occurred at around 10am on Wednesday in the Govindapotal area under Ratankandi Union of Sadar Upazila.
The deceased was identified as Russel Babu, 31, son of Bablu Mondal of Khamargati village under Ratankandi Union. He was employed as a daily wage-based linesman at the Kazipur Sub-Zonal Office of Palli Bidyut Samiti.
Speaking to TIMES, Deputy General Manager (DGM) Md Maidul Islam of the Kazipur Zonal Office of Sirajganj Palli Bidyut Samiti-2, said that Russel Babu went to the Govindapotal area with his colleagues on Wednesday morning to install a new meter as part of his daily duties.
Work was also underway on another nearby line of Palli Bidyut, which had been turned off. It is suspected that Russel assumed the line he was working on was also shut down, climbed the pole, and began work. Upon coming into contact with an electric wire, he was electrocuted and remained hanging from the top of the pole.
His colleagues subsequently rescued him and rushed him to hospital, where the attending doctor declared him dead.
The DGM added that the actual cause of the accident is being thoroughly investigated and an investigation committee will be formed regarding the matter.
Sirajganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Rakibul Hasan told TIMES that Russel accidentally touched an electric wire after climbing the pole during the installation of the new meter, sustaining severe injuries. Colleagues rescued him and took him to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The OC further said that an unnatural death case has been registered at the police station concerning the incident. Necessary legal formalities are being completed before handing over the body to the family.
