Unidentified man dies after being electrocuted while attempting to steal LRT cables

Jakarta (ANTARA) - An unidentified man was found dead, suspected to have been electrocuted by high-voltage electricity, while attempting to take cables from a power substation used for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) operations in the Pancoran area, South Jakarta.

“The victim entered from below carrying a plastic bag containing a saw and a hat. He then climbed to the second floor of the substation, where he was suspected of being electrocuted by high-voltage electricity,” said Pancoran Police Chief, Kompol Suminto, to reporters in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Suminto stated that the police received information regarding the incident at approximately 5:50 PM WIB. Based on preliminary investigations, the victim is believed to have entered the substation area from the bottom while carrying a plastic bag containing a hacksaw and a hat.

The victim then ascended to the second floor of the substation and was allegedly struck by high-voltage electricity.

Police suspect the victim intended to steal cables from the substation. This suspicion is supported by the presence of the hacksaw and the plastic bag carried by the deceased.

“It is predicted that cables were the target, as the tools brought were a hacksaw and a plastic bag,” he said.

“Only one individual was found. No ID card or any form of identification was found on his body. Therefore, he is currently identified as Mr X,” said Suminto.

Moving forward, the victim will be taken to Kramat Jati Hospital for an autopsy. Meanwhile, the police have not yet been able to confirm the exact time of death.

Suminto noted that the condition of the body, which had begun to emit an odour, was likely related to the high-voltage electric shock.

The substation is known to support LRT operations. The power supply at the location was temporarily shut off during the evacuation process, and it has been confirmed that the incident did not disrupt LRT operations.