New Delhi: At least 15 people were killed and seven injured when a power transformer exploded at the Namami Ganga project site on the banks of the Alkananda River in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Wednesday, July 19.

According to Indian Express, an additional director general (law and order), V. Murugesan, said electricity circulation on a metal railing caused casualties as per preliminary information. A police sub-inspector and three guards were among the 15 killed when the incident occurred at 11:35 am at Chamoli sewage treatment plant.

Two injured were airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh while five others were rushed to a hospital in Gopeshwar. The helicopter is set to return to airlift other victims, the IE report said.

Uttarakhand chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and said rescue teams, district administration, and state disaster response force have reached the spot.

"For those severely injured, we are taking the help of helicopters to refer them to higher centres," said Dhami in a video statement.

Taking to Twitter, he said, "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."

Chamoli district disaster management officer, N.K. Joshi, told PTI that the police had gone to the spot to prepare a report on the electrocution of a person working on the project site late on Tuesday. At that time, a surge of electricity at the same spot hit the police personnel and the curious onlookers, leading to deaths and injuries, he added.

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