DHAKA, Aug 20, 2026 (BSS) - He went into a power plant construction site allegedly looking for electric cables to steal. Instead, the electricity found him first.

And when the situation became too shocking to handle, he did what perhaps few thieves would expect to do-he called the emergency hotline 999.

The unusual incident unfolded on Wednesday night at a construction site of a power plant in Kodda, Gazipur, according to a press release released today.

According to the National Emergency Service 999, Kamrul and his 18-year-old accomplice Jihad allegedly entered the site to steal electrical wires. 

But while attempting to cut the wires, Jihad was electrocuted, caught fire and collapsed.

Kamrul was also shocked, although his injuries were reportedly less serious.

With his accomplice lying badly injured, Kamrul reached for his phone-not to call another accomplice, but to call 999.

He told the emergency operator that his friend had been electrocuted and badly burned and was lying on the ground and requested immediate assistance.

The call was answered by 999 call-taker Constable Himanish Barua, who immediately alerted Gazipur Chowrasta Fire Service Station.

Firefighter Md Al Amin, the 999 fire dispatcher, kept in contact with both the caller and the fire service while rescuers rushed to the scene.

A fire service rescue team eventually reached the site and rescued both men. 

They were taken to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Fire Service Leader Bauddhadeb Sarker, who led the rescue team, later confirmed the operation to 999.

The incident has an almost ironic twist: the alleged cable thieves went looking for something they could steal, but ended up getting a powerful reminder that electricity is not something to mess with.

And when the "shock" became too much, the alleged thief did the most sensible thing of the night-he called 999.

For the emergency responders, however, there was no question of who was calling or why they were at the site. A person was injured, help was needed, and the emergency machinery went into action.