A 23-year-old male died from electrocution on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, in the Djègbé arrondissement of Abomey. Authorities discovered the body at 12:40 p.m. Inside an electrical cabin located at the École normale des instituteurs in Gbindo village. Local officials confirmed the fatality following the discovery of the victim at the site. The incident remains under investigation as officials work to determine the circumstances surrounding the presence of the individual within the secured facility.
Discovery of the Body
An agent from the Société béninoise d’énergie électrique (SBEE) found the deceased male during a routine inspection of the electrical cabin. The employee arrived at the École normale des instituteurs in Gbindo village shortly before the official notification of the fatality. Following the discovery, the SBEE technician alerted local authorities in the Djègbé arrondissement of Abomey to the scene. Investigators from the regional office in Zou are currently reviewing the findings provided by the utility company. Representatives from the Société béninoise d’énergie électrique continue to cooperate with local officials to clarify the timeline of the entry into the secured facility.
Evidence of Theft Attempt
Investigators at the École normale des instituteurs reported that the electrical cabin's padlock was forced, allowing unauthorized access to the secured facility. High-voltage cables inside the enclosure were found cut during the initial inspection of the site. Authorities also discovered several tools left near the body of the deceased male. These items included pliers, screwdrivers, and a flashlight. Officials from the regional office in Zou are examining these materials as part of the ongoing inquiry into the incident. The presence of these tools and the damage to the equipment are currently being assessed by the Société béninoise d’énergie électrique to determine the circumstances of the entry.
Medical and Official Response
Medical personnel examined the body at the École normale des instituteurs and identified a burn on the victim's left hand. This physical evidence was noted by responding teams during the initial recovery of the deceased from the electrical cabin in Gbindo. Doctors subsequently confirmed the cause of death as electrocution, consistent with the high-voltage environment where the individual was found. Regional authorities in Zou are incorporating these medical findings into their formal investigation report. Following the site assessment, the remains were transported to a local facility for further processing. Officials continue to coordinate with the Société béninoise d’énergie électrique to finalize the documentation regarding the fatality.
Official Site Visit and Burial
Laurent Zomaï, the prefect of the Zou department, visited the École normale des instituteurs in Gbindo on 14 October to inspect the site of the incident. During this visit, he reviewed the security measures at the electrical cabin and received briefings from local officials regarding the ongoing investigation into the unauthorized entry. Following the completion of the site assessment and the medical examination, the public prosecutor issued instructions for the release of the deceased male’s body. Family members took custody of the remains on 14 October to proceed with burial arrangements. Regional authorities in Zou continue to finalize the formal report on the fatality while maintaining communication with the family throughout the process.
