VietNamNet Bridge – Four workers died from a massive electrical shock on Friday afternoon in the central province of Ha Tinh while trying to erect a telecommunications pylon in a rice field.

A rice field in the central province of Ha Tinh. Four people died on Friday on a rice field in the province due to electric shock. — Photo trangtraiviet.vn

Witnesses at the scene in Cam Hung Commune in the province’s Cam Xuyen District said the incident occurred while the workers were trying to raise the pylon under a power line.

Bui Quang Quan, head of the electricity branch in Cam Xuyen District, said safety rules required the telco office to ask for the power be cut off before allowing anyone to start work near heavy voltage cables, but that had not happened.

Nguyen Dinh Dung, chairman of Cam Hung Commune, said the four deceased were residents of the commune, and two of them were siblings.

Police are investigating the case.

Compliance with labour safety rules is rare in Vietnam, particularly when developing sectors hire farmers to do construction works in rural areas. 

Source: VNS