A 40-year-old homemaker died after reportedly suffering an electric shock while cooking rice in a rice cooker at her home in Sherpur Sadar upazila on Saturday evening.
The deceased was identified as Kulsum Akter Bhuli, wife of Furkan Ali, from Fakirpara in Pakuria Union. She was the mother of two sons and a daughter. Her parental and marital homes were located in neighbouring areas, according to local information.
The incident took place at around 6.30pm at the family home, Sherpur Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge Md Sohel Rana said.
According to the family, Kulsum was preparing rice in an electric rice cooker when she was suddenly electrocuted. The exact cause of the electrical fault was not immediately established.
Family members rushed to her aid after the incident and took her to the 250-bed Sherpur District Sadar Hospital for emergency treatment. However, doctors at the hospital declared her dead after she was brought to the emergency department.
Dr Tanvir Ahmed, a medical officer at the hospital’s emergency department, confirmed her death. He said there were visible marks on Kulsum’s hand consistent with an electric shock.
The incident has raised concerns about the risks associated with household electrical appliances, particularly when equipment, wiring or electrical connections are faulty. Rice cookers and other kitchen appliances are widely used in homes, but an electrical leakage or damaged connection can become dangerous, especially when the appliance is handled in a damp environment. Investigators, however, have not yet publicly identified the specific reason for the electric shock in this case.
Police have registered an unnatural death case in connection with the incident, Officer-in-Charge Sohel Rana said.
The family subsequently applied for permission to bury the body without a post-mortem examination. Following the application, police handed the body over to the family, according to the officer.
The death has left Kulsum’s family facing the loss of a mother of three children. Police are continuing the necessary legal procedures concerning the incident.
