Two teenagers in Russia are fighting for their lives following a severe electrical accident involving high-voltage cables while returning from a fishing excursion on a Volga River tributary. The incident, which took place on the first day of their summer school break, left both boys with critical injuries.

The accident was captured on video where one of the teens, Khalmat V., aged 14, inadvertently touched a high-voltage line with his fishing rod, causing an immediate and violent electric shock. The resulting arc flash not only injured Khalmat but also affected his companion, Danila T., who is 15 years old. Both were rushed to the hospital, where they were diagnosed with extensive burns; Khalmat suffered burns over 85% of his body, and Danila over 45%.

Despite the severity of the incident, a third teenager, Maksim B., who was with them at the time, escaped without serious injury, though he was initially knocked down by the shockwave. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the sound of the electric discharge resembling a loud explosion, followed by the boys’ screams.

The community’s response has been one of solidarity, with teachers, friends, and classmates rallying to raise funds for the medical treatment of Khalmat and Danila. The delay in the ambulance’s arrival was noted by locals, though once on the scene, the transfer to medical facilities was prompt.

This tragic event has highlighted the dangers of high-voltage areas, serving as a stark reminder of the need for caution around electrical infrastructure, especially in environments where such risks might not be immediately apparent.