Karnataka: Boys hurt in underground power line explosion

Locals said the underground cable was laid a few weeks ago and it exploded, injuring the kids.
Rakesh Hugar being treated at KIMS in Hubballi on Wednesday | D Hemanth
Rakesh Hugar being treated at KIMS in Hubballi on Wednesday | D Hemanth

HUBBALLI: A seven-year-old boy suffered injuries in both his legs and another boy was hurt in his eye in an explosion in an underground power supply line at Durga Shakti Colony near Nekar Nagar on Wednesday morning. The incident took place when Rakesh Thimmappa Hugar and Manjunath Singeri, both aged seven, were playing near their homes.

Locals said the underground cable was laid a few weeks ago and it exploded, injuring the kids. HDMC had dug up the road for cable-laying and it is possible that there could be a short circuit leading to the blast, sources said.Rakesh who had suffered injuries in both his legs was rushed to KIMS Hospital. Doctors said both his legs are severely damaged and have been plastered.

“We have to wait for a few days to check the condition of his legs. The explosion has ripped both the legs and broken the bones. An operation was performed today,” one of the doctors said. The condition of Manjunath, who suffered injuries in his eye said to be stable.

Rakesh is son of Thimmappa Hugar and Durgamma. “A few weeks ago, drainage work was taken up and electricity lines were laid underground. As there were no classes on Wednesday, my son and his friend were playing on the road which was laid after cabling. All of a sudden there was an explosion,” said Thimmappa, Rakesh’s father.

Hubballi-Dharwad East MLA Prasad Abbayya visited the explosion site and the hospital. He promised medical help and also assured an inquiry. Locals, including Rakesh’s parents, protested demanding action against the contractor who laid the power line. “During laying of cable, residents had inquired about the safety aspects. But we never got a convincing answer,” a resident said.

Hescom orders inquiry
A senior HESCOM official stated that the electrical inspector is the competent authority to find the reason for the accident. “The inspector has been asked to investigate and submit a report in a day or two,” he said. Some fault in the high tension cable could be the reason, but he is not sure of it. The official also said no such incident is reported in the past.

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