Workers of the KEI Construction Company sub-contracted by Gambia’s main water and electricity company to have died in a freak accident in the north of the country on Wednesday.
According to a statement by the National Water and Electricity Conpany (Nawec) seven of the KEI company’s workers were electrocuted by high-tension cables as they ran new electric poles on a site near Essau, Sami and Mendy Kunda in the North Bank Region.
The scheme is under the World Bank’s Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernisation Project (GERMP).
While under the private firm KEI, they were planting new poles as part of the second phase of Nawec’s energy extension scheme linked to an Ecowas regional electrification project.
Some reports say they had died instantly after the lose wire of a falling electricity pole landed on them in Kerr Gallo not far from the seaside town of Barra.
The corpses which were charred beyond recognition had been ferried to the Essau District Hospital where the scene was tense on Wednesday evening as the manager of the KEI Construction Company who has not been named was arrested and detained.
He was said to have been cooperating with the Gambian police who are investigating the freak accident which has renewed concern about workers’ safety.
Witnesses say the ill-fated KEI field workers did not have enough protective gears at the time of the incident.
Meanwhile President Adama Barrow who proceeded on leave last week has issued a statement expressing his condolence to the bereaved.
”We share the sorrow with their families during these trying times and pray for Allah to grant the deceased eternal peace in Jannah” the statement said.
WN/as/APA