25.11.2011

Six electrocuted with crane

Six men died yesterday in Lahore, Pakistan, when a crane contacted an overhead power line.

The crane, a mobile telescopic was set up in the road outside the Volta Dyes and Moulds factory in Shadab Park. It was lifting a delivery of components up to the first floor of the factory, which produces vehicle spare parts and components, when its boom touched an 11Kv power line that runs alongside the factory boundary and the road.

The crane operator and five factory employees, who were guiding the large load, suffered severe burns and died instantly. Three others on the first floor sustained serious injuries.
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The crane after the accident

A safety and health investigation officer at the scene is reported as stating that preventative measures were not taken, in spite of the company being aware of the high tension voltage lines only a few metres from the factory building.

Relatives of the victims demonstrated at the Lahore General Hospital and demanded police action against the company’s owner and others responsible for the incident.

Chief minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed the police to take strict action against those responsible for the fatalities injuries.