Tragic Electrocution Claims Migrant Worker's Life During KSEB Repair Work
A young migrant labourer lost his life in a tragic electrocution accident on Friday afternoon in Kochi. The incident occurred while he was performing maintenance work on power lines for the Kerala State Electricity Board.
Victim Identified as West Bengal Native
The deceased worker has been identified as Ripan Sheikh, a 28-year-old man originally from Nadia district in West Bengal. According to sources familiar with the matter, Sheikh had been working as a contract labourer for KSEB for more than six years.
Accident Details and Immediate Response
The fatal accident took place around 2:30 PM in the Pallamthuruth area. Sheikh was positioned atop an electric pole conducting repair work when he accidentally came into contact with the live power supply.
Emergency responders rushed the severely injured worker to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment. Despite these efforts, medical personnel confirmed that Sheikh succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
Police Investigation and Legal Proceedings
North Paravur police have officially registered a First Information Report in connection with the incident. Authorities are treating this as a case of unnatural death and have initiated a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Police officials stated they are examining all aspects of the accident, including safety protocols and working conditions at the site. The investigation aims to establish whether proper safety measures were in place during the maintenance operation.
Post-Mortem and Family Notification
Medical authorities will conduct a complete autopsy on the victim's body as part of standard procedure. Once the post-mortem examination concludes, officials will release the remains to Sheikh's family members for final rites.
The tragic incident has highlighted concerns about workplace safety for contract workers in the electricity sector. Many migrant labourers from other states work on temporary contracts for various government departments across Kerala.
Local residents expressed shock and sadness over the preventable loss of a young life. Community members noted that Sheikh had been a familiar presence in the area for several years while working on KSEB projects.
This marks another unfortunate addition to workplace accident statistics in the state. Safety advocates have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of protective measures for workers handling electrical infrastructure.
