Uttarakhand: 17 people killed after power transformer explosion
What's the story
As many as 17 people died and several others sustained injuries after a power transformer exploded at the Namami Gange project site in Uttarakhand's Chamoli on Wednesday, reported News18. According to ADG (Law and Order) V Murugesan, the deceased included one police sub-inspector and three home guards. A preliminary probe revealed that the cause of the casualties was electricity circulation on a metal railing.
Details
Six victims completely charred on spot
The News18 report added that at least 15 people died due to electrocution on the spot or on their way to the hospital. Of these, six people were completely charred. The remaining two people died while undergoing treatment. Meanwhile, two injured individuals were airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh, while five others were rushed to a local hospital.
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Video: Victim being airlifted after accident
#WATCH | Uttarakhand: People injured due to electrocution at the under-construction Namami Gange project on the banks of the Alaknanda River in Chamoli are being air lifted to AIIMS Rishikesh by helicopter for treatment. So far 15 people have died in this incident. pic.twitter.com/IdE7cN1JtP
— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023
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CM announces ex-gratia for victims
Following the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a magisterial inquiry. He informed that rescue teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), reached the spot. "The concerned authorities have been directed to provide relief amount of Rs. five lakh to the dependents of the deceased and Rs. one lakh to the injured without any delay," he tweeted.
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Dhami's Twitter post
आज चमोली में घटित दुःखद दुर्घटना के संबंध में आदरणीय केंद्रीय गृह मंत्री श्री @AmitShah जी को फोन पर विस्तृत जानकारी दी।
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) July 19, 2023
साथ ही सम्बंधित अधिकारियों को चमोली घटना के मृतकों के आश्रितों को ₹5 लाख और घायलों को ₹1 लाख की राहत राशि अविलंब प्रदान करने के निर्देश दिए हैं।