Two maintenance workers at the annual Dakar Rally were killed after being electrocuted in separate incidents, according to reports and organisers.

A 46-year-old man who was working on setting up the decorations in Copiapo for the competitors of the off-road endurance race died last Thursday, according to the Cooperativa radio station.

The man was helping erect a giant welcome banner for the competitors when a metal structure toppled over into some high-voltage cables electrocuting him.

The second man died Friday while doing electrical work as he helped build a stage in the city of Arica which was to be used by Chilean President Sebastian Pinera to address the gathering, said the rally’s organisers in a statement.

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