On the afternoon of 1/2, Nguyen Thi Hoa and her husband were erecting an over 10-meter-long bamboo New Year's pole in front of their home in Thanh Tien hamlet, Nhan Hoa commune, to celebrate the Binh Ngo Lunar New Year. As they lifted the fresh bamboo pole high, its top part became entangled with a 35 kV power line, causing both to be electrocuted and fall to the ground. Relatives discovered them, quickly cut the power, and took the two victims to Anh Son Medical Center for emergency treatment.

On 2/2, a leader from the Medical Center stated that Mrs. Hoa suffered 3rd to 5th-degree electric burns to her chest, left shoulder, and right forearm. Her condition was critical, so she was transferred to Nghe An General Friendship Hospital for treatment. After surgery, the patient was conscious but faces a risk of limb amputation. Her husband sustained minor injuries and has since been discharged.

New Year's poles are erected by residents on both sides of roads in mountainous communes of Nghe An every Lunar New Year. *Photo: Duc Hung*

The New Year's pole is typically erected on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month and taken down on the 7th day of the 1st lunar month. According to folk belief, erecting the New Year's pole aims to ward off evil spirits while Ong Cong and Ong Tao (Kitchen Gods) return to heaven to report on the family's affairs for the year.

Duc Hung