A 70-year-old man and his 60-year-old wife were killed after being electrocuted by an electric machine used to cut grass for livestock at their home in Jhenaidah’s Shailkupa upazila on Wednesday morning.
The victims were identified as Amarendra Nath Bhowmik, 70, and his wife Mina Bhowmik, 60, residents of Madhabpur village under Monoharpur Union. Their deaths in the same incident have cast a pall of grief over the village, leaving relatives, neighbours and other local residents deeply shocked.
According to local sources, Amarendra Nath went to the cowshed early on Wednesday, as he did regularly, to cut grass for the family’s livestock. He was operating an electrically powered grass-cutting machine when he was electrocuted at some point during the process.
After noticing that her husband had suffered an electric shock, Mina rushed to his aid. She too came into contact with the electrical current while attempting to rescue him and was seriously affected.
Family members and relatives subsequently rushed the couple to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex. They arrived at the hospital at around 7.30am, where emergency department physician Asaduzzaman Joha examined both patients and pronounced them dead.
Shailkupa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir Molla confirmed the deaths.
The precise circumstances surrounding the electrocution were not immediately established. It was not clear whether the grass-cutting machine itself had developed an electrical fault, or whether there had been a problem with its wiring, power connection or another component. Further verification would be needed to determine exactly how the accident occurred.
The incident has also highlighted the risks associated with electrical equipment used for routine household and livestock-related work. Machines operated with electricity can become dangerous if their wiring, switches, connections or other components are damaged or improperly maintained. A fault may not always be visible, making basic safety checks particularly important before operating such equipment.
Residents said electrical appliances used around homes and livestock sheds should be handled carefully, especially in areas where moisture or contact with metal surfaces could increase the risk of electric shock. They also stressed that faulty equipment should not be used until it has been properly repaired.
For the family, however, the incident has brought an immeasurable loss. Amarendra Nath and Mina had lived together in Madhabpur for many years. Their deaths within the same tragic incident have left relatives and neighbours struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.
The atmosphere in Madhabpur remained sombre following the deaths, with residents gathering to offer support to the bereaved family. The tragedy has also prompted renewed concern among locals over the safe use and maintenance of electrically powered agricultural and livestock-related equipment at home.
