Erode School Tragedy: Headmistress Suspended After 11-Year-Old Student Dies of Electric Shock

 

An 11-year-old Class 6 student died after allegedly coming into contact with a live electric wire on the premises of a government school in Kuppuchipalayam, Erode district, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Following the incident, the school's headmistress, identified as Nirmala, has been suspended by the Education Department. District authorities have also ordered an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the student's death.

The deceased student, identified as Yogesh, was studying at a Government High School in Kuppuchipalayam under the Ammapettai block.

Student electrocuted during lunch break

According to police sources, the incident occurred at around 1:35 pm during the lunch break.

A live electric wire had reportedly fallen near the school's compound wall after snapping during heavy rain and strong winds that affected Bhavani and surrounding areas the previous night.

The wire reportedly fell close to the school's drinking water tank, creating a potential danger for students.

Police sources said the headmistress was aware of the fallen wire and had reportedly warned students to stay away from the area.

However, after lunch, Yogesh and some of his classmates reportedly went towards the water tank to clean their lunch boxes.

The situation turned fatal when Yogesh stepped into water that had accumulated near the fallen live wire and suffered a severe electric shock.

Other students alerted teachers, who rushed to the spot. Teachers reportedly used a bamboo pole to move the live wire away from the child and attempted to rescue him.

Yogesh was taken to the Government Primary Health Centre at Mylambadi, where he was declared dead.

Protest after student's death

The student's death triggered anger among his relatives and members of the local community. Protesters blocked the road near the Kuppuchipalayam bus stop on the Bhavani–Mettur–Thoppur National Highway, demanding accountability and action against those responsible.

The road blockade continued for more than two hours before protesters dispersed following discussions with local officials.

Tension also prevailed at the Mylambadi health centre, where more than 200 people reportedly gathered after learning about the death.

Yogesh's relatives initially resisted the police's efforts to move the body to the Government Erode Medical College Hospital in Perundurai for a post-mortem examination.

Superintendent of Police D.V. Kiran Shruthi intervened and helped facilitate the transfer. The post-mortem examination was completed late Tuesday night.

Inquiry ordered

District Collector S. Kandasamy has ordered an inquiry into the incident, while the Education Department has suspended headmistress Nirmala pending further action.

The Bhavani police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student's death, including the presence of the live wire on the school premises and the safety measures taken after it was reportedly discovered.

The tragedy has also raised concerns over electrical safety and the need for immediate removal or isolation of hazardous infrastructure on school campuses, particularly during extreme weather conditions.