A devastating accident occurred on Wednesday in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, where a Bus carrying pilgrims along the Badrinath route lost control and plunged into the Alaknanda River. The mishap has left two people confirmed dead, while more than ten passengers remain missing.
The accident took place near Gholtir village, a hilly stretch notorious for sharp bends and narrow roads. According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle suddenly skidded while taking a curve and veered off the road into the river below.
There were 19 passengers onboard at the time of the accident. As of now, eight people have been rescued, some with serious injuries, and are currently being treated at a nearby hospital.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are carrying out a large-scale search and rescue operation. The swift-flowing waters of the Alaknanda River and the difficult terrain are posing major challenges to the ongoing efforts.
Authorities fear that the death toll may rise, as the fate of at least ten missing passengers remains unknown.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed deep grief over the incident and said that a high-level inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the cause of the accident. He also directed officials to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured and to expedite relief efforts.