5 farm workers charred to death in Andhra

PTI

Amaravati, June 30

Five farm workers were charred to death and two others injured when a high-tension power supply cable snapped and fell on the autorickshaw they were travelling in, resulting in a major fire, in Satya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday morning.

The victims were said to be related to each other.

A squirrel climbed on to the electrical pole, causing a short circuit of the wire and the cross-arm. "This led to the snapping of the high-tension cable," AP Southern Power Distribution Company Chairman and Managing Director Haranadh said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dharmavaram, Ramakanth said over phone that five other persons, including the auto driver, jumped out to safety after the fire.