Dehradun: At least 16 people died by electrocution and seven others were injured after a power transformer exploded at the Namami Gange project site on the banks of Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Wednesday.
According to ADG (Law & Order) V Murugesan, a police sub-inspector and three home guards were among the deceased in the mishap near Chamoli sewage treatment plant.
Electricity circulation on a metal railing of a bridge led to the fatalities, as per preliminary information.
The bridge, which is part of the Namami Gange project, spans the Alaknanda river.
Two of the injured were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh while five others are being treated at Gopeshwar government hospital in Chamoli.
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who ordered a magisterial inquiry, announced Rs 5 lakh each for the families of deceased and Rs 1 lakh each for those injured.
“Extremely painful news was received of many casualties due to electrocution in Chamoli. Those injured in the accident have been sent to the nearest hospital for treatment. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into this unfortunate incident. I pray to God for the peace of the departed souls and the speedy recovery of the injured,” the CM tweeted.
He added that strict action will be taken against the guilty.
Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, Union Home minister Amit Shah said that he had spoken to the Uttarakhand CM about the Chamoli accident and added that the administration was providing treatment to the injured.
