Eight labourers electrocuted during road work in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu
Five other workers sustained burn injuries after a gravel-mixing machine hit a high-tension power line in Chhapoli village.
Eight labourers died after a machine hit an electricity line during road construction in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district on Monday, according to ThePrint and The Hindu. The accident took place in Chhapoli village within the Udaipurwati police station area while workers were building a narrow road connecting Chhapoli to Kadamkund.
Udaipurwati Station House Officer (SHO) Rampal said a machine intended for mixing gravel touched an overhead high-tension power line. This caused an electric current to pass through the equipment, electrocuting the workers. Five other labourers also suffered burn injuries in the incident.
Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar stated that preliminary information suggests the road was being built through public participation on a small, private scale. He said technical officials have been instructed to investigate the circumstances and that action will be taken if any technical or departmental lapses are identified.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has ordered a high-level inquiry and requested a detailed report from the district collector. He also directed Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra to visit the site to provide assistance to those affected.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called for an investigation into responsibility and urged the state to provide compensation to the families. Former MLA Rajendra Gudha also visited the location, demanding government jobs for the kin of the deceased.