Dehradun: At least 16 people died and several others injured after they came in contact with an electrified bridge-railing in Uttarakhand last night.
Those died in the mishap included a policeman and three Home Guards from the live bridge across the Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district.
The bridge is originally part of a sewage treatment plant under the Namami Gange project, according to NDTV.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who is yet to visit the place, has ordered a magisterial inquiry.
Chamoli Superintendent Of Police Pramendra Dobhal said 22 people were electrocuted and 15 people died in hospital, adding that seven are in critical condition.
Sharing the grief, Dhami said police received a call alerting that a security guard died of electrocution in Chamoli district before discovering the actual numbers.
‘We have received news of a grim incident in Chamoli district. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered. Rescue teams, including the State Disaster Response Force are at the spot. Helicopters have been made available to shift the injured to bigger hospitals,’ the officer said.
The seven people, suffering burns, were shifted to the All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Rishikesh using helicopters.
Police are investigating the details of the accident, according to Assistant Director General of Police (law and order) V Murugesan.