BENGALURU: Five high school students died of electrocution while allegedly trying to remove a flagpole erected for the Independence Day celebrations at their government-run hostel in Koppal as they came in contact with an overhead power line, police said.<br />Two students got electrocuted first as they came in contact with adjacent power line as they attempted to remove the flagpole from the first floor of the hostel building.<br /><br />Three other students rushed to save the two but all of them died, police said.<br /><br />Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa ordered a probe into the tragic incident and announced a relief of Rs. 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.<br /><br />The hostel is being run at a private building on a rental basis, and all the five were studying in high schools in the district headquarters town, about 350 km from here.<br /><br /><br />The pole had been erected on the first floor of the hostel building for hoisting the national flag.<br /><br />Police said they have registered a case and were likely to take legal action against owner of the building, warden of the hostel and local electricity supply company officials.<br /><br />Speaking to reporters, Mr Yediyurappa said, "I have ordered a probe into the death of five students due to electrocution in Koppal. I have ordered District Deputy Commissioner to give Rs. five lakh to each family as compensation."
