CHAMOLI: A total of around fifteen people died and several others were injured on Wednesday on a bridge on the banks of the Alaknanda River in Chamoli of Uttarakhand after coming into contact with a railing on the bridge which got electrified after a transformer burst. The dead also included a police officer and five home guards, said reports.
The bridge spanning the Alaknanda river, on which the incident happened, is part of the Namami Gange project.
The authorities present at the spot said that injured people were rushed to the hospital for treatment, even as police and rescue teams reached the spot promptly and started relief operations.
Police are said to have received a call from the nearby village late on Tuesday night that a watchman had died of electrocution. When police personnel arrived at the spot with villagers for the on the spot inspection, they discovered that many people had been electrocuted and some had suffered severe injuries. The injured were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
"Around 15 people, including a police sub-inspector & five home guards have died. An investigation is underway. Prima facie reveals that there was a current on the railing and the investigation will reveal further details," said Additional Director General of Police, Uttarakhand. The in charge of Pipalkoti outpost is also reported to have lost his life in the mishap.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a judicial probe into the incident.
"This is a very unfortunate incident. Police, SDRF and rescue teams are present at the spot. Strict action will be taken against the guilty," the chief minister said.
He added that the injured are being referred to a higher medical centre for treatment and a helicopter was pressed into service for shifting the severely injured to AIIMS Rishikesh.
Taking to Twitter, CM Dhami wrote in Hindi, “Received news about the death from electrocution of several people in the heart-rending incident at Chamoli. People injured in the incident have been shifted to nearest hospitals. A magistrate level probe into the unfortunate incident has been ordered. I pray for peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery of those injured.”
In another tweet Dhami said he was headed to Chamoli for on the spot assessment. He added that those found guilty will not be spared.
The mishap has sparked anger among the local villagers and they are blaming the energy corporation department officials for their negligence, while demanding strict action against them.
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