2 killed, 5 injured in electrocution in Rangpur
Two people died after being electrocuted during the inauguration of a fertilizer shop in Kaunia, Rangpur. Five more were injured. The incident took place at 9 pm on Saturday (August 3) in Shahabaj Amtola Bazar area of Balapara union of the upazila. The deceased were identified as Shahabuddin (45), son of Jobed Ali of Purba Para area of Itakumari union of Pirgachha upazila, and Shariful Islam (38) of Mithapukur upazila. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kaunia police station Abdul Latif Shah said that about 50 locals attended the inauguration ceremony of a fertilizer shop of a businessman named Nazar Ali in Amtola Bazar. Milad mahfil and jikir were being organized in the shop. A microphone was attached to a raw bamboo pole outside the shop. When the wind started blowing with the rain during the incident, the bamboo head got caught on an 11 kV electric wire. The shop was surrounded by tin with bamboo attached to it. The house was electrocuted. At that time, Shahabuddin and Shariful, who were chanting zikir inside the shop, were electrocuted and injured. The others present ran outside. Later, they were rescued and taken to Kaunia Upazila Health Complex. The doctor on duty at the hospital declared Shahabuddin and Shariful Islam dead. The OC further said that two of the five injured were referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital as their condition was critical. The remaining three are being treated at Kaunia Upazila Health Complex. Legal action is under process in this regard.
