Rising electrocutions: Another life lost to dangling live wire

Six people, including a minor and a woman, have died in three months

LAHORE: Live wires in Lahore are getting dangerous day by day. In the latest accident, another precious life has been lost as a child fighting for his life after suffering electric shocks three days ago succumbed to his injuries.

Six-year-old Abu Bakr was playing on the roof of his house in Harbanpsura when a live wire passing over the house snapped and fell on the boy. The kid received severe burns and fell unconscious. He was admitted to Mayo Hospital and remained under treatment for three days before breathing his last.

In recent months, at least six victims, including a minor and a woman, have been electrocuted in three separate accidents of high-voltage wires falling down on them. Citizens blame the Lahore Electric Supply Company for its negligence and failure to implement safety protocols.

On October 14, three young men were electrocuted in Harbanspura while shifting dowry to the upper storey of their house during a wedding reception. One of the victims was the bridegroom’s brother while another had been engaged just a few days ago.

The groom’s younger brother and his friends were shifting the luggage from a truck when a furniture item made of iron touched some electric wires. The victims received an electric shock and fell unconscious. They were shifted to hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

The festivities soon turned into mourning. Family members, relatives and neighbours of the victims staged a protest against the power utility LESCO, holding it responsible for the deaths.

On July 23, a man and a woman were electrocuted while another person received injuries when a live high-voltage wire fell into rainwater in Nishtar Colony as the victims were passing through the street.

Taking notice of the incident, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif removed the LESCO chief from his position over negligence.

When contacted, the LESCO spokesperson claimed all safety protocols were being followed and the consumers were to blame for the fatal accidents.

Imran Afzal said the minor child died in Harbanpsura because someone was flying a kite with a metal string and it touched the wires. The three victims who died during shifting dowry were killed because an electric pole they were shifting fell on the electric wires, he alleged.

About death of two people in Nishter Colony when wires fell in rainwater, he said an electric meter had burnt out due to short-circuit and the wires fell into water as a result. Imran claimed the new LESCO CEO was very particular about safety measures and had started a massive campaign titled “Save the City from Electric Hazards” to educate citizens.

The power utility is now marking the dangerous spots to educate citizens about them. Besides, the workers are also being trained as they also fall victim of accidents during work.

Sajid Kazmi, vice-president of the All-Pakistan Hydro Electric Workers Union, also said the new LESCO chief had taken up the issue and introduced some reforms.

Talking about the safety protocols of Wapda workers, he said safety seminars and safety trainings were organised on regular basis.

When asked about recurrence of accidents and causalities, Sajid said following safety protocols was a continuous process but the workers do not get the safety equipment on regular basis. “Sometimes they receive one item but cannot get the other,” he said. “Substandard transformers and transmission lines are also a factor for the fatal accidents.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2016.