A tragic incident in the southern suburbs of Chennai has claimed the lives of two construction workers, following a fatal electrocution on Sunday night. The accident occurred at an old house in Old Perungalathur, near Tambaram, casting a shadow over a routine renovation project.
The Fatal Incident at the Renovation Site
The victims were identified as Anbu, aged 50, and Ayyappan, aged 38. Both men were residents of Tiruvottiyur in Chennai. They were employed for renovation work at a house owned by a person named Janarthanan. While performing their duties, the workers were in the process of erecting scaffolding outside the building using iron pipes.
In a devastating turn of events, the long iron pipes they were handling accidentally made contact with a live overhead electric wire. This wire was connected to a nearby electricity pole. The moment the metal pipes touched the live wire, a powerful electric current surged through the bodies of both men. The force of the electrocution was so severe that it threw them to the ground.
Rush to Hospital and Unfortunate Outcome
Following the accident, the two laborers were rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in a critical condition. Despite receiving medical attention at the major healthcare facility, both Anbu and Ayyappan succumbed to the severe injuries they sustained from the electrocution. The incident has left the local community and the construction sector in shock.
A Grim Reminder of Workplace Hazards
This unfortunate event brings to the forefront the persistent dangers faced by construction workers across India, especially those involved in urban renovation projects. Key safety concerns highlighted by this incident include:
- The critical need for awareness of overhead electrical lines when using conductive materials like metal pipes.
- The importance of mandatory safety briefings and risk assessments before commencing work on any site.
- The vulnerability of daily-wage laborers who often work in high-risk environments without adequate protective gear or insurance.
The police are likely to investigate the circumstances leading to the accident, focusing on safety protocols and potential negligence. The deaths of Anbu and Ayyappan serve as a somber reminder of the human cost when basic safety measures are overlooked in the construction industry.
