Chennai: Class 12 boy steps in puddle, electrocuted by leaking UG cable

CHENNAI: A 17-year-old class 12 student was electrocuted on Wednesday night after he stepped in a pool of stagnated rainwater above a damaged underground electric cable near his house in Tiruvottiyur. Facing the wrath of the public, the electricity department officials blamed Greater Chennai Corporation for damaging the cable during pavement work.

Tension prevailed in the neighbourhood following the incident, as residents gathered in large numbers demanding action against the electricity department officials for poor maintenance, leading to the teenager's death. The police pacified the public promising action, and made them disperse.

The deceased boy was identified as Nafeel of Peer Pailwan Street in Tiruvottiyur. He was a class 12 student at a private school in the same locality. On Wednesday evening, he was returning home after attending tuition classes when the incident happened a few metres from his home.

Rainwater had stagnated on the streets due to sudden rains on Wednesday evening. The boy did not notice the damaged wire submerged in the water and was thrown to the ground.

Onlookers rushed to the boy's aid and moved him to the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, where he was declared as brought dead.

The police have registered a case of unnatural death as of now and have begun inquiries.

An official from the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) said the electrocution occurred due to a puncture in an underground 230-volt domestic cable.

"The underground cable for a domestic connection was damaged during pavement work undertaken on the road by the civic body two months ago. When waterlogging occurred on Wednesday evening, electricity leaked from the damaged section, resulting in the electrocution incident," the official said.