The incident occurred during the burial ceremony of a chieftain of the community, Sir James Ibe.
We gathered that the incident happened when the victims were erecting canopies for the burial ceremony of deceased.
It was learnt that the men had lifted the canopy to place it in the appropriate spot when the tip of the canopy touched the 33kv high tension wire and got the six severely electrocuted with one person dying instantly, while others were rushed to the hospital.
When our correspondent visited, the high tension wire was seen sagging, an indication that it was neglected by the authorities responsible.
An eyewitness, Mr Julius Ezeogbo narrated to FOB that "the people had set the canopy, and thereafter wanted to shift it to the other end so that it could be in line. So immediately they lifted it up in other to carry it over to where it was supposed to be, it touched the EEDC High Tension wire and six of them were electrocuted.
"The High Tension wire is very low; in fact, it was lower than the Low
Tension that is outside the compound. When the wire touched the canopy, six of them fell down and one died instantly; one was extremely critical and was rushed to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and others who were very critical were equally rushed to different hospitals".
Ezeogbo, who doubles as the Secretary-General of Nanka Community slammed the officials of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, (EEDC) for their "lackadaisical attitude towards the incident", regretting that the officials were unperturbed about the situation.
He alleged that the deceased had made concerted efforts towards the relocation of the high tension line but was charged to pay huge amount which he couldn't afford at the time.
"We called the EEDC officials immediately. They came but instead of doing something about it, they started blaming the community for the incident".
It was gathered that one of the victims, identified as Chekwube, who died
on the spot, was preparing to pay the bride price of his heartthrob before he was sent to his early grave.
His elder brother blamed the officials of the public power supply for the death of his brother, saying it was out of their carelessness.
When this reporter visited the Enugu Electric Distribution Company in Ekwulobia, the Business Manager could not be reached.
But when contacted on the telephone, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the incidence, adding that the police were on top of the situation.
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