Coming in contact with a high tension 25000-volt electric wire, six labourers lost their lives and a couple of others suffered a shock of electric current in Dhanbad.

The incident took place along Howrah- New Delhi Railway track located between Gomoh and Dhanbad near Nichitpur halt this morning. As a result of this, the railway traffic on this route was shut down.

Howrah-Bikaner Express train was halted at Dhanbad. Kalka - Howrah- Netaji Express train was held up at Tetulmari station. 

The railway doctors and para-medical staff have reached the site where the incident took place. Also, Indian Railway Health Service staff have started providing relief to affected persons. 

Information gathered from the railway officials indicates that works were going on to increase the speed of the trains from 120-160 to 200 per hour on tracks between Pradhankhata to Bandhuwa falling under the Dhanbad division.

On Monday, a group of workers were busy installing an electric pole near Railway Phatak at Nichitpur halt. Normally, to do such work, permission is taken to shut down railway traffic. And a crane is used to lift high-weighted electric pole.

But, according to railway officials, the contractor, without using a crane and taking permission to halt the traffic, deployed workers to install the electric pole.

“ As they were doing their work, a portion of the pole touched overhead 25000-volt electric wires. Five got electrocuted. One child and two-three others present there suffered electric shock”, said a senior Railway officer quoting one eye witness. 

Dhanbad DRM Kamal Kishore Sinha has confirmed the death of six persons. He said a high-level inquiry has been ordered.

The deceased were identified as workers from Prayagraj, Palamau, and Latehar. They were among 22 workers who were living in a camp set up by the contractor.