CHENNAI: Four workers were electrocuted and another was injured while they were drilling a borewell at a private resort on the East Coast Road in Mamallapuram on Saturday. Police and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) officials launched an investigation into the incident. Preliminary inquiries indicated that the accident happened after the drilling equipment came in contact with a high-tension overhead power line.The deceased have been identified as Prabhu, 33, of Neykuppi village, Balaji, 20, of Vasanthapuri, Basha Bhai, 45, of Mamallapuram, and Rajendran, 55, of Kadumbadi village. Bhagavan, 45, of Karanai village sustained injuries and was admitted to Chengalpet Govt Hospital for treatment.According to police, the resort management engaged a private contractor to drill a deeper borewell after the existing borewell failed to provide sufficient water due to the decline in groundwater levels.Five workers were engaged in the drilling operation. Police said the accident occurred when a metal drilling rod being lifted for insertion into the borewell came in contact with an overhead high-tension electricity line. Electricity passed through the rod, electrocuting the workers.Resort staff alerted TNEB and police. Power supply to the area was disconnected, and personnel from the Mamallapuram police, residents and a 108 ambulance team rushed to the spot. Four workers died on the spot, while Bhagavan survived the accident with injuries.The bodies were recovered and sent to the Chengalpet District Govt Headquarters Hospital for postmortem.The Mamallapuram police registered a case. They questioned the resort staff members and the borewell contractor.
