Priest Electrocuted During Flag Lowering Ceremony

Thalassery, August 15, 2024: In a shocking incident today in Thalassery Archdiocese, Kerala a Catholic priest, Fr. Shins ( Mathew Kudilil ) lost his life due to electric shock while participating in a flag hauldown ceremony.

The tragic event took place at The parish Church when the priest came into contact with a live electrical wire while lowering the flag from the flagpole. A temporary flagpole ( Iron pipe) was erected for flag hoisting. While removing the pipe, the pipe came into contact with the high voltage power line adjacent to the Church. The priest holding the pipe was thrown off.

He was ordained priest three years ago and was catering to the Catholic communities of Mullaria and Delampadi in Kasaragod district of Kerala.

According to the press release from the Archdiocese, the priest was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing their condolences and grief.

By Fr. Suresh Matthew