While they were loading crops onto a tractor, a high-tension 33KV wire fell onto the vehicle, which led to the electrocution of the labourers.
Published Nov 02, 2022 | 8:06 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 02, 2022 | 8:10 PM
In a tragic incident, at least six daily wage agriculture labourers were killed in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh when they came in contact with a high-tension power wire on the afternoon of Wednesday, 2 November.
Four of them were women and the other two were men.
Two other people injured in the incident were shifted to a nearby hospital. Their condition was said to be critical.
The incident took place at the Dargha Honnur village in the Bommanahal mandal of the Anantapur district.
A group of farm labourers were cutting castor and loading them onto a tractor.
While they were loading the crop, a high-tension 33KV wire fell on the vehicle, which led to the electrocution of the labourers.
“It’s an unfortunate incident. We are with the families of the deceased, and providing better medical treatment to the injured,” said Rayadurgam MLA Kapu Ramachandra Reddy.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, on learning about the incident, ordered the immediate suspension of the concerned officials of the Power Department, and also announced compensation.
As per the orders of the chief minister, a deputy engineer, an assistant engineer and a lineman were suspended.
“He expressed deep shock over this incident and passed on his deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased,” said Ramachandra Reddy.
“The chief minister announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased and also directed the authorities to take all steps to ensure better treatment of the seriously injured,” he added.
The state government has also directed the director of Electrical Safety to probe the situation and give a report. The government will take further action on supervisory officers based on the report.
The state government has directed the power distribution company to pay the compensation immediately.
