Over 20 Suffer Burns As High-Tension Wire Falls On 7 Homes In UP, 'Power Dept Took 15 Mins To Cut Supply'

The people inside the houses fell unconscious due to the current. Neighbours tried to help after they saw a fire, but accessing the homes became difficult because of the electric current.  

Over 20 people, including children, suffered burn injuries on Wednesday after a high-voltage wire fell on the roofs of their homes in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday. The live wire fell on the roofs of at least 7 houses. Two of the residents are said to be in critical condition. 

The people inside the houses fell unconscious due to the current. Neighbours tried to help after they saw a fire, but accessing the homes became difficult because of the electric current.  

According to PTI, due to heavy rainfall and strong winds, the high-tension wires snapped and fell on the residential buildings. Speaking to PTI, a local resident said the people tried to rush inside one of the homes to rescue the injured, "but as soon as they touched the gate, they felt electricity running through the metal". 

Another neighbour told PTI that they had asked the electricity department to shut down the line due to the incident, so that it could be easier to rescue people. But the company “didn’t pay attention to our pleas", the neighbour added. "Once we managed to bring out the rescuees, and sent them to hospital, that's when they cut the line,” they said. It was reportedly 15 minutes after the wire fell that the electricity was disconnected.

This report will be updated if and when the power department issues a statement on the allegations.

All electrical equipment inside the homes is said to have got charred. Two of the people taken to hospital were said to be in critical condition.