New Delhi: After 15 people died by electrocution in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.


As many as 15 people, including a policeman and three home guards, died due to electrocution after a transformer exploded on the banks of the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Wednesday. The incident occurred at the site of the Namami Gange project.


Dhami has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the dependents of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to the injured.


"It is a sad incident. District administration, police, and SDRF have reached the spot. The injured are being referred to higher centre and are being shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh via helicopter," Dhami said. "Orders have been given to conduct a Magisterial inquiry," he added.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi also sanctioned an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakhs for the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.


According to Reuters, Himanshu Khurana, the district magistrate of the area, said "How the incident happened will only become clear after detailed inquiry but it seems, on the surface, to have happened due to electrocution."


Condoling the incident, Amit Shah tweeted, "The deaths of people in Chamoli are very sad. I have spoken with CM Pushkar Singh Dhami to gather information on the incident. The administration is providing medical aid to the injured. I express my sympathies to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."


Additional Director General of Police, Uttarakhand, V Murugesan, told ANI, "Around 15 people, including a police sub-inspector and five home guards, have died. Investigation is underway. Prima facie reveals that there was current on the railing and the investigation will reveal the further details."


The tragedy comes as Uttarakhand has been hit by heavy rains, with water levels increasing in rivers. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has already issued red and orange alerts in Uttarakhand. A flood alert has been issued for Chamoli, Haridwar, Rudraprayag areas. 


The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been told to remain on high alert.