Five workers electrocuted, two killed

Five workers electrocuted, two killed

PADANG, West Sumatra: Two people died and three others were
injured late on Tuesday night in Padang Pariaman regency, after
they were electrocuted.

The incident began when the five were hired by local poll
officials to raise the flags of 24 political parties eligible to
contest the upcoming general election.

The workers were told to raise the flags in Kurai Taji and
Naras subdistricts.

As the five men were preparing to raise the flags on staffs
provided by poll officials, it began to rain.

Despite the storm, the men continued to work because they had
been asked to complete the job that night.

"Apparently, one of the wet flags touched an open cable on a
nearby power line, which electrocuted them," said Adj. Comr.
Taswim Achmad, the chief of detectives of the Padang Pariaman
Police, on Wednesday.

The deceased, Al Ambo, 23, and Mulyadi, 22, were buried on
Wednesday. The three men injured in the incident are being
treated at a local hospital. -- Antara