Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Teacher electrocuted during flag-hoisting setup in Odisha's Balasore
A young teacher died on Independence Day while getting ready for a school celebration.
His name was Priyabrat Behera, and he taught physical education at a high school in Maitapur.
He was helping to set up a flagpole for the flag-hoisting ceremony.
He and another worker were carrying a heavy iron pipe.
The pipe accidentally touched an electric wire.
The electricity gave him a very strong shock.
Doctors at the hospital in Bhadrak could not save him.
Some students who tried to help also got shocks, but they were okay.
The teacher's mother is very sad and says the school made him come even though he was sick.
Priyabrat Behera, 26, a physical education teacher at a private-run high school in Maitapur, died of electrocution while setting up a flagpole on Independence Day.
Around 8am, the iron pipe he and a staff member were carrying touched an overhead low-tension power line, causing the fatal shock.
He was rushed to a hospital in Bhadrak, where the doctor on duty pronounced him dead.
Students who tried to pull him away from the pipe also received electric shocks but were discharged after primary treatment at Simulia hospital.
The teacher's mother alleged negligence by school management, saying he was unwell and reluctant to go but was urged to attend.
- Who
- Priyabrat Behera, 26, a physical education teacher at a private-run high school in Maitapur, supported by a staff member and a few students.
- What
- Died of electrocution when an iron pipe being installed as a flagpole touched an overhead low-tension power line during Independence Day flag-hoisting setup.
- When
- Around 8am on Saturday, Independence Day.
- Where
- School premises in Maitapur, Odisha's Balasore district; pronounced dead at a hospital in Bhadrak.
- Why
- The iron pipe came into contact with a power line after he and a staff member lost balance due to its heavy weight following overnight rain.
- Victim
- Priyabrat Behera, 26, physical education teacher
- Incident
- Electrocution during Independence Day flag-hoisting setup
- Time
- Around 8am on Saturday, Independence Day
- Location
- Private-run high school, Maitapur, Balasore district, Odisha
- Cause
- Iron pipe touched an overhead low-tension power line
- Pronounced dead
- Bhadrak hospital
- Injured students
- Treated and discharged from Simulia hospital
- Family allegation
- Negligence by school management