Three Mro women electrocuted in Bandarban

Three women from the same family have died after being electrocuted in the Chimbuk area of Bandarban, according to police and local officials.

The incident occurred in Ranglai Mro Para, located in the Wai Junction area of Suwalok Union in Sadar Upazila on Monday, said Masud Rana, chief of Bandarban Sadar Police Station.

The victims were identified as Orkan Mro, 71, Rawlen Mro, 40, and Tumale Mro.

All three were residents of Ward No. 7 of Suwalok Union, reports UNB.

Police said the deaths followed the explosion of an electric transformer, which ignited a fire in a nearby house.

“Three women from the same family died after being electrocuted by a wire,” said Rana.

A police team was sent to the scene after authorities received the report.

The victims were relatives of Ranglai Mro, the headman of Suwalok Reniksyang Mouza and a former chairman of Suwalok Union.

“Among the three killed are my aunt, cousin and cousin’s daughter,” said Ranglai Mro.

“I have come to the village after receiving the news and am collecting information. I still don’t know the details of how the accident happened.”

Ukyunu Marma, chairman of Suwalok Union Parishad, said locals informed him of the incident around 2am on Monday.

He added that due to the absence of mobile network coverage in the remote hilly area, it was difficult to obtain details immediately.

Dilip Chowdhury, a doctor at Bandarban Sadar Hospital, said an electrocuted woman was brought to the hospital around 3:20am.

“Later, an examination revealed that she died on the way,” he said.

A local resident, speaking anonymously, said the electric transformer exploded late at night near the village. Electricity had been flowing into a nearby house at the time. As current surged through the meter and household connections, the three women reportedly attempted to switch off the electric meter and were electrocuted one after another.

Amir Hossain, executive director of the Bandarban office of the Power Development Board, said the incident would be investigated.

“If the transformer breaks, there should be no electricity,” he said.

“The moment the transformer breaks, the power will go out. We will investigate whether there is any other reason behind this incident.”

Ranglai Mro Para is located in the Wai Junction area of the Chimbuk Hills, approximately 18 to 22km from Bandarban town. The area is home to the Mro community.

Wai Junction lies between Ruma Road and Thanchi Road, giving the area its name.