Muscat:The Royal Oman Police (ROP) have made a major breakthrough in ending the spate of live electricity cable thefts across the country.

The police have arrested 14 Pakistani nationals on charges of stealing electric cables, transformers and other material.

About six months ago a man died in the Dalhliya Region while trying to cut live wires. The rampant thefts since the beginning of this year caused Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC) some financial setbacks while exposing residents to the danger of electrocution.

In March last, two Omani boys were electrocuted while playing in a pool during rains in the eastern region as a wire from an electric pole was dangling in the water, it is possible that that live wire in the pool of water could be consequence of vandalism by the thieves targeting cables.