Fifteen die from electrocution near India river
Thursday, 20 July 2023
CHAMOLI, July 19 (BBC): Fifteen people have died after an electricity transformer exploded on the banks of the Alaknanda river in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand.
Authorities say a police official and five home guards are among those killed in the accident which took place in Chamoli district. The state's chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has ordered an enquiry into the incident.
Police say at least 15 people have also been severely injured in the accident. They are being treated at the district's main hospital. Chamoli's superintendent of police Pramendra Dobhal said the incident took place last night, but was reported to them on Wednesday morning.
According to NDTV news channel, the transformer exploded and electrified a bridge which spans the river near Pipalkoti village in Chamoli.