Kundapura: Couple killed after coming to contact with broken overhead electric wire

Team Udayavani, Sep 29, 2023, 9:10 PM IST

Kundpura: In a tragic incident that unfolded on Friday afternoon, a husband and wife lost their lives due to electrocution after coming into contact with a broken overhead electric wire at Sulse, near Hemmadi, under Katbelthur Gram Panchayat.

The deceased have been identified as Mahabala Devadiga (55) and his wife Lakshmi Devadiga (48), residents of Katbeltur village. The couple is survived by a son and a daughter.

Mahabala Devadiga, a daily wage laborer, was employed at a house near his residence. Concerned when he did not return home by 3 o’clock, his wife Lakshmi set out in search of him. To her horror, she discovered Mahabala lying in a ditch, clutching a live electric wire. In a desperate attempt to save him, Lakshmi raised an alarm and tried to move the wire with a wooden stick, but tragically, she too was electrocuted.

The incident has raised significant concerns for the safety of pedestrians, particularly students commuting to and from school. Despite the availability of a road, many opt for this footpath, considering it the most convenient option.

The community was in shock as news of the double fatality spread, drawing a crowd of onlookers to the scene. Former MLA of Byndoor, K. Gopal Poojary, paid a visit, alongside Kundapur DySP Belliyappa, Kundapur Rural Circle Inspector Jayaram Gowda, and Revenue Inspector Raghavendra Devadiga. Officials from Mescom, the electricity board, also inspected the site.

Outrage has erupted over what locals perceive as Mescom’s negligence. The broken power line in question is estimated to be between 30 to 35 years old. Concerns have been raised about the practice of replacing old wiring, which, if left unaddressed, could lead to further tragedies. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the need for improved safety measures, particularly in rural areas.