Operator killed in electrocution at 33 kV substation in Unnao

What happened

On Friday 9 October 2026, a substation operator was killed while adding a jumper to a 33 kV line at the Auras power house in Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh. The operator suffered severe burns and his body caught fire. Bystanders put out the fire and took him by ambulance to a community health centre, where doctors pronounced him dead. A fire also broke out inside the power house. Local residents reported that the fire brigade arrived late, and villagers said they brought the fire under control themselves.

Power supply to the surrounding area was cut after the incident. Families and villagers protested at the power house demanding compensation. Police moved the sub-divisional officer to safety. Five people, including an executive engineer, a sub-divisional officer and a junior engineer, were named in first information reports, and police are investigating.

Contributing factors

The source reports an allegation that a junior engineer restored supply on the 33 kV line without confirming that the line had been shut down and without prior notice to the operator working on it. The source does not give a confirmed technical cause.

Lessons learned

1. Confirm a verified isolation and shutdown of the line, with lockout and earthing in place, before any worker begins jumper or joint work.
2. Never re-energise a circuit without a documented permit-to-work sign-off and direct communication with every person working on it.
3. Make emergency fire and ambulance response times part of site emergency planning for substations, and train nearby staff and residents to respond safely.

More lessons on worker safety and safe systems of work, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Source

prabhatkhabar.com