Man dies while trying to rescue electrocuted daughter-in-law

A woman died from electrocution while trying to hang a wet towel on a live electric wire in Charghat, Rajshahi. Her father-in-law also died while trying to rescue her. The incident occurred around 1pm on Friday in the Anupampur Colonypara village of the upazila.

The deceased are Shomser Ali, 60, and his daughter-in-law Tania Begum, 25. Tania's husband is Shariful Islam.

Charghat Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Mahbubur Rahman said Tania Begum's aunt Nasrin Begum and two cousins, Mim and Keya, were visiting. While chatting and joking with them, Tania went to hang a wet towel on a wire strung across the yard for drying clothes.

The OC said the wire was already electrified, which Tania did not realise. The moment she touched the wire with the wet towel, she was electrocuted and collapsed. Her father-in-law Shomser Ali, who was cutting grass for cattle on the nearby veranda, rushed to save her and was also electrocuted.

Locals rescued both and took them to Charghat Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared them dead.

Local UP member Takdirul Islam said Tania was electrocuted first while trying to hang wet clothes on the wire, and Shomser Ali was electrocuted while trying to save her. The entire area has been plunged into grief over the sudden incident.

Charghat Police Station OC Md Mahbubur Rahman said the bodies have been brought home from the hospital. The incident is extremely tragic. Two people died within moments while chatting cheerfully.

He said the families and local dignitaries have sought permission to bury the bodies without autopsies. As there are no complaints from anyone, permission for burial without autopsy will be granted following legal procedures.