Three Men Die From Electrocution While Installing Water Tank Pole in Onitsha

Three Men Die From Electrocution While Installing Water Tank Pole in Onitsha

Three men have died after an iron pole they were trying to erect for a water tank fell onto a high-voltage electricity line in Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State.

The incident occurred on Monday, October 19, 2026, at No. 123, Old Port Harcourt Road, where the men were working with a contractor engaged to sink a borehole at a two-storey building.

According to sources, the victims were part of the contractor’s team and were attempting to raise an iron pole when it accidentally came into contact with an 11kV overhead electricity line.

The contact reportedly resulted in the immediate electrocution of all three men.

The deceased were identified as Chukwudi Ukwa, Frank Okafor and Somadina Nwabuike.

Their bodies were subsequently taken to the General Hospital in Onitsha by police officers attached to the Fegge Division.

The owner of the building, identified as Mr Steven, was reportedly assisting the police with their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Reacting to the tragedy, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited warned residents and construction workers about the dangers of carrying out activities close to overhead power lines without appropriate safety measures.

The company’s Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor, said metal objects that come into contact with live electricity lines could conduct current and cause fatal injuries, even when the people handling them do not directly touch the wires.

He said the company would continue its electricity safety awareness campaigns across markets, motor parks, streets, schools and communities in Anambra State to discourage activities that could endanger lives around electricity infrastructure.

Okafor also warned against using electricity line corridors for unauthorised buildings, trading stalls, canopies, scaffolding and water tank installations, as well as handling long metal objects near power lines.

The company urged residents to report dangerous activities and encroachment on electricity line corridors to the appropriate authorities before they lead to further loss of lives.