A tragic incident at Technopark, Kerala's premier IT hub, claimed the life of a young migrant labourer on Friday evening. The victim, identified as Kajol Hussain (21), a native of Assam, was electrocuted while performing cleaning duties.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The accident occurred around 4:30 PM at the Quest building inside the Technopark campus in Thiruvananthapuram. Hussain was engaged in washing the exterior wall of the building using a high-pressure water gun. During this cleaning process, the powerful jet of water is suspected to have made contact with an 11kV overhead electric line that passes close to the structure.
Hussain received a severe electric shock immediately and collapsed on the spot. Despite co-workers rushing to his aid, he was declared dead at the scene. The Kazhakkoottam police confirmed the sequence of events, noting the proximity of the high-voltage line to the building where the maintenance work was underway.
Immediate Response and Investigation
Technopark security personnel and police officials arrived swiftly after being alerted. They initiated preliminary procedures at the accident site. Hussain's body was later shifted to the mortuary of the Government Medical College Hospital for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
The police have registered a case and launched a comprehensive investigation. The primary focus is to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to this fatal accident. Investigators will examine safety protocols, the clearance of the overhead lines, and the procedures followed during such maintenance activities.
Broader Implications and Safety Concerns
This unfortunate event highlights critical workplace safety issues, especially for migrant workers employed in maintenance and manual labour roles within high-tech zones. It raises questions about risk assessment and the implementation of safety measures when working near hazardous infrastructure like high-tension power lines.
The death of Kajol Hussain has cast a pall over the Technopark community and underscores the need for stringent enforcement of occupational safety standards to prevent such tragedies in the future.
