Three men have died from electrocution in Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State, after an iron pole they were erecting for a water tank fell onto an 11kV overhead electricity line.
The incident occurred on Monday at No. 123, Old Port Harcourt Road, where the owner of a two-storey building had engaged a contractor to sink a borehole.
The victims, identified as Chukwudi Ukwa, Frank Okafor and Somadina Nwabuike, were reportedly members of the contractor’s team who were attempting to erect the iron pole when it came into contact with the electricity line.
The impact reportedly electrocuted the three men, whose bodies were subsequently evacuated to the General Hospital, Onitsha, by police officers from the Fegge Division.
Police officers at the division confirmed the incident on Tuesday, adding that the building owner, identified simply as Mr Steven, was assisting with investigations into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Reacting to the incident, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited expressed concern over the deaths, warning that the tragedy underscored the dangers of carrying out construction and installation work close to overhead electricity lines without observing safety precautions.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor, the company urged property owners, contractors and artisans to maintain safe distances from power lines when erecting water tanks, handling long metal objects or undertaking construction projects.
The company explained that metal objects that come into contact with live electricity lines could conduct current and cause fatal electrocution, even when the people handling them do not directly touch the wires.
“The tragedy points to the grave dangers associated with carrying out construction, borehole drilling, tank installation and other activities close to overhead electricity lines without observing the required safety clearances,” the statement said.
Okafor noted that such incidents were preventable if property owners, contractors and members of the public complied with established electrical safety requirements.
He said the company had continued to conduct electricity safety awareness campaigns in markets, motor parks, streets, schools and communities across Anambra State to discourage activities that endanger lives around power infrastructure.
According to him, the campaigns have also targeted traders operating beneath high-tension lines, commercial tricycle operators loading passengers under power lines and residents undertaking construction work dangerously close to electricity installations.
FirstPower warned against erecting buildings, trading stalls, canopies, scaffolding and water tanks within electricity line corridors without the required safety clearance.
It also advised property owners to ensure that contractors handling borehole drilling, building ing necessary safety requirements before commencing work.
The company further warned members of the public against touching fallen electricity wires or attempting to move objects that have come into contact with power lines.
Residents were advised to report suspected electrical hazards immediately to the company or relevant emergency authorities and keep a safe distance from affected areas.
“Work around electricity infrastructure should only be undertaken by qualified and authorised personnel under appropriate safety procedures,” the statement added.
The company extended its condolences to the families and associates of the deceased, pledging to sustain public sensitisation campaigns and collaborate with relevant authorities and communities to prevent similar incidents.
