A tragic electricity incident has claimed the lives of three persons, including a toddler and a 10-year-old girl, in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The incident occurred on Saturday after a high-tension cable reportedly fell onto lower-voltage lines supplying residential homes, triggering a dangerous power surge across the area.
The sudden voltage spike is believed to have electrified household appliances and nearby metal objects, leading to the fatal accidents.
Among the victims was a two-year-old boy who was electrocuted after touching a phone charger plugged into a socket when electricity supply was restored. A 10-year-old girl also lost her life after coming into contact with an iron pole while attempting to adjust a cloth spread out to dry.
The third victim, identified as 23-year-old Rilwanu Musa, a driver, was reportedly electrocuted while ironing his clothes during the surge.
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Three other residents sustained injuries in the incident and are currently receiving treatment, though details of their conditions were not immediately disclosed.
Confirming the incident, the Secretary of Kaura Local Government Council, Haruja Pius, described the development as heartbreaking and extended condolences to the affected families. He also conveyed sympathies on behalf of the Council Chairman, Sankyai Obadiah.
“This kind of loss is hard to bear. You are with your child, healthy and sound and the next minute he is gone. May God give you the strength to bear this immeasurable loss,” Pius said during a visit to grieving families at the Primary Healthcare Centre Manchok.
Residents of the community have expressed shock over the incident, calling for urgent intervention by electricity authorities to prevent a recurrence.
The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over the safety of power infrastructure and the risks posed by faulty or fallen high-tension lines in residential areas.