Odisha: Teacher Dies, 3 Students Injured After Iron Pipe Hits Live Wire During Independence Day 2026 Preparations
A teacher died and three students were seriously injured after an iron pipe reportedly came into contact with an overhead live electricity wire during Independence Day preparations at a private school in Odisha’s Balasore district. The incident occurred on August 14 when physical education teacher Priyabrata Behera was installing the pipe on a flag-hoisting stand.
A teacher died and three students were seriously injured after they reportedly came in contact with a live electricity wire during preparations for Independence Day celebrations at a private school in Odisha’s Balasore district on Friday, August 14. The deceased teacher was identified as Priyabrata Behera, a physical education teacher.
The incident took place around 8 am at a private school in the Maitapur area under Simulia block, according to reports. Behera was reportedly attempting to install an iron pipe onto the flag-hoisting stand when the pipe came into contact with an overhead electricity wire, resulting in an electric shock. Rajasthan Tragedy: 3 Sisters, Including 1-Year-Old, Die of Electric Shock From Cooler in Baran.
Teacher Dies After Electric Shock
Behera sustained critical injuries after coming into contact with the live wire. He was rushed to a hospital for treatment, where doctors declared him dead.
The incident occurred a day before Independence Day, when schools across the country were preparing for flag-hoisting ceremonies and related programmes.
Three Students Seriously Injured
The electric shock also left three students with serious injuries. They were subsequently hospitalised for treatment. The circumstances that led to the students coming into contact with the live wire were not immediately clear from the available reports.
According to the information available, Behera was installing an iron pipe on the flag-hoisting stand when the pipe reportedly touched an overhead electricity wire.
The contact caused an electric shock and resulted in critical injuries to the teacher. The incident also affected three students who were present at the school. The school is located in Balasore district’s Maitapur area under Simulia block.
The incident has raised questions about safety precautions during preparations for school events involving metal structures near overhead electricity lines.
Further details about the condition of the injured students and any official action following the incident were not immediately available in the reports reviewed.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2026 05:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
