Balasore, Jul 18: A tragic incident occurred in Mahinsapanda village under Ada Panchayat of Simulia police limits in Odisha’s Balasore district on Saturday morning, when two people lost their lives to electrocution while engaged in farming activities.

According to reports, Maheshwar Das of Chandrapada village under Ishwarpur Panchayat had installed an electric fence around his paddy field to protect the crop. For reasons yet to be ascertained, the fence became charged, creating a fatal hazard. While working in the field, Maheshwar came in contact with the live current and was electrocuted.

Nearby, an elderly woman, Pooja Munda of Mahinsapanda village, witnessed the incident and rushed to rescue him. Tragically, she too was struck by the electric current and collapsed. Local villagers immediately rushed both victims to Simulia Hospital, but doctors declared them dead upon arrival.

The double fatality has shocked the local community, raising concerns over unsafe practices in agricultural fields and the use of electric fencing. Villagers expressed grief over the deaths and urged authorities to investigate the circumstances that led to the accident.

Also Read: Sambalpur: Parents, Students Protest at Pandikimal School Over Headmaster Transfer

Police have registered a case and initiated inquiries. Officials said they would examine whether safety norms were violated and if negligence contributed to the deaths. The incident underscores the need for greater awareness about farm safety and stricter monitoring of electric installations in rural areas.

The tragedy has cast a pall of gloom over Mahinsapanda and Chandrapada villages, with residents mourning the loss of both victims. Community leaders have appealed for support to the bereaved families and for measures to prevent such accidents in the future.