A pall of gloom descended on a remote village under Jalewsar block in Baleswar district on Sunday after two women of a family were killed as a wall of cowshed, where both were milking cows, caved in.
Besides, the human casualty, four cattle too died in the accident, which occurred at around 9.40 am, according to local police station IIC Sujit Pradhan. The deceased were identified as Shantilata Nandi (34) and Sasmita Nandi (30), respectively wives of Susanta Nandi and Prasanta Nandi. The house belongs to Sankar Nandi of village Ekatli under RR Pur GP of Jaleswar block.
On hearing the tragedy, the local tehsiladr, police officers and fire brigade personnel rushed to the village. The victims had died on the spot before they could be rescued from the debris. The cowshed portion constructed along with the dwelling house was a mud and thatched structure and was in a dilapidated state and it became unsafe further due to rains.
Tehsildar Rajanikanta Biswal said, “The family already has a pucca dwelling house. However, they will be given a house under the IAY. Financial compensation for the family (after the Sunday incident) is under consideration.”