Rudraprayag Bus Accident: 3 dead and several missing after bus falls into the Alaknanda river; rescue operations underway
Today, a bus carrying eighteen people fell into Uttarakhand's Alaknanda River. Seven people have been injured and three people have died.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) June 26: A bus carrying 20 people fell into the Alakananda river in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, killing at least three people and leaving ten more missing. Relief efforts by the State Disaster Response Force and the police have resulted in the rescue of eight persons.
Police official Nilesh Anand Bharane said, “A bus went out of control and fell into the Alaknanda river in Gholtir area of Rudraprayag district. As per information received so far, 18 people were on board the bus.”
According to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other organisations are conducting relief and rescue operations on a war footing. He reassured the public that he keeps close tabs on the situation by communicating with the local government.
He posted, “The news of a tempo traveller falling into a river in Rudraprayag district is deeply tragic. Relief and rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing by SDRF and other rescue teams. I am in constant contact with the local administration regarding this matter. I pray to God for everyone's safety" in a post on social media platform X.
Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of Disaster Management, Uttarakhand has said, “Three people have died in the accident. The bus was carrying seven passengers from Rajasthan, three from Madhya Pradesh, seven from Gujarat, two from Maharashtra, and the driver was from Haridwar” in a statement regarding the accident.
Initial reports indicate that the bus was travelling uphill in the direction of Badrinath when the driver lost control and the vehicle fell into the river. Rescue operations began as soon as police and emergency response teams were on the scene. They are receiving help from locals. A few injured people have been taken outside and sent to hospitals. Many of the people who were saved had jumped from the car before it plunged into the river.
Top police, administrative and disaster response officials are keeping an eye on the rescue effort. People have been warned by the administration not to share misinformation.
Images taken on the location showed people assisting injured passengers up the hill and forming a human chain. Twenty people, including the driver, were on board the thirty-one-seater bus. Gujarati and Rajasthani families had boarded the bus for the Char Dham Yatra.
Traffic on the Badrinath Highway has been temporarily stopped and the area of the accident site has been cordoned off. Rescue and search efforts are still underway.
Aadrika Tayal
