This story is from May 15, 2020

Nine farm workers electrocuted in Andhra Pradesh as tractor hits pole

Tragedy struck a group of labourers returning from a chilli farm on Thursday evening as the tractor they were travelling on hit a roadside electricity pole, electrocuting nine of them on the spot. The accident occurred at Naguluppalapadu village in Prakasam district when the farmhands were returning home after the day’s toil. Of the nine, six were from one family.
Nine farm workers electrocuted in Andhra Pradesh as tractor hits pole
Six of the nine who died in the accident were from same family
VIJAYAWADA: Tragedy struck a group of labourers returning from a chilli farm on Thursday evening as the tractor they were travelling on hit a roadside electricity pole, electrocuting nine of them on the spot. The accident occurred at Naguluppalapadu village in Prakasam district when the farmhands were returning home after the day’s toil. Of the nine, six were from one family.
Two of the survivors — chilli farm owner Nalluri Chenchaiah (38) and Kakumanu Bhagyavathi (36) — are in critical condition and have been rushed to RIMS hospital in Ongole.
Police said the rest escaped with minor injuries. The tractor was overloaded with around 30 chilli farm workers and the driver lost control and rammed into the electric pole, police said.
As per their daily routine, the workers were picked up in the morning and dropped at the chilli farm. After work they were being taken back to their villages when the accident happened. Overhead electricity wires fell on the tractor after it hit the pole, resulting in the mass electrocution.
Police have shifted the bodies for post-mortem and registered a case under section 304A of IPC (causing death due to negligence) against the tractor driver. Investigation is on to check if the driver was in an inebriated state.
Chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy expressed shock over the incident and directed officials to extend all medical help to the injured.
The deceased have been identified as Peeka Kapeswara Amma (50), Nukathoti Lakshamma (65), Kakumanu Rama Devi (55), Kakumanu Kumari (45), Kakumanu Ramasri (40), Garla Ravi Shankar (20), Kakumanu Shiva (17), Kakumanu Mounica (18) and Kakumanu Amulya (18).
Environment minister B Srinivas Reddy, meanwhile, announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased.
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