Karnataka: Five high school students die of electrocution while removing flagpole in Koppal; CM Yediyurappa announces Rs 5 Lakh compensation

Bengaluru:  Five high school students died of electrocution on Sunday after they came into contact with an overhead power line while allegedly trying to remove a flagpole on the first floor of their government-run hostel in Koppal, police said.

The pole had been erected for hoisting the national flag for independence day celebrations.

Two students got electrocuted first as they came in contact with the 11-kilovolt power line running adjacent to the first floor. Three other students rushed to save the two but all of them died, police said.

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa ordered a probe into the tragic incident and announced a relief of Rs five lakh to the kin of each of the deceased.

The hostel was being run at a private building on a rental basis, and the five were studying in class eight to class 10 in schools in the district headquarters town, about 350 kilometers from Bengaluru. Police said they have registered a case and were likely to take legal action against owner of the building, warden of the hostel and local electricity supply company officials.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Yediyurappa said, “I have ordered a probe into the death of five students due to electrocution in Koppal. I have ordered district deputy commissioner to give Rs five lakh to each family as compensation.”