Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Mar 1: Five workers were killed after being electrocuted at a stone-cutting factory in Dinhata area of Cooch Behar district on Sunday, officials confirmed.

The accident took place in the Dinhata Village-II Gram Panchayat area under Dinhata police station limits. Preliminary reports indicate that an 11,000-volt overhead electric line snapped and fell onto the iron structure of a mixer machine while work was underway near the head of a dam. The live wire reportedly electrified the equipment, fatally shocking the workers present at the site.

All five victims died on the spot. District administration sources identified them as Mukul Verma, Raju Sen, Mithun Pal, Suman, and Sanjay Verman — all residents of Cooch Behar district.

Police teams, led by the Inspector-in-Charge of Dinhata police station, rushed to the factory after being alerted. The bodies were recovered and sent to a local hospital for post-mortem examination.

Dinhata Sub-Divisional Police Officer Prashant Debnath said initial findings suggest the workers were using a construction lift when the electrocution occurred. He described the incident as deeply unfortunate and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted. He also stated that the administration would extend support to the bereaved families.

The tragedy triggered tension in the locality, with anxious relatives gathering at the hospital and demanding a detailed probe into possible lapses or negligence.

Authorities have launched an inquiry to determine the exact sequence of events and whether safety violations or infrastructure failures contributed to the fatal accident.