New Delhi: At least three people have died and several others are missing after a bus carrying 20 passengers from Rishikesh to Badrinath in Uttarakhand veered off the road while ascending in Rudraprayag district. The vehicle plunged into the swollen Alaknanda River near Gholtir. So far, seven passengers have been rescued, with six of them shifted to nearby hospitals, according to rescue officials.
According to ANI, the Secretary, Disaster Management, Uttarakhand, Vinod Kumar Suman, said, “Three people have died in the accident. The bus was carrying seven passengers from Rajasthan, three from Madhya Pradesh, seven from Gujarat, and two from Maharashtra, and the driver was from Haridwar.”
#WATCH | On Rudraprayag bus accident, Secretary, Disaster Management, Uttarakhand, Vinod Kumar Suman says, “Three people have died in the accident. The bus was carrying seven passengers from Rajasthan, three from Madhya Pradesh, seven from Gujarat and two from Maharashtra, and… pic.twitter.com/KB93ImmHIf — ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2025
Preliminary reports from an official press note suggest the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing the bus to plunge into the river below.
Rescue teams from the police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration rushed to the scene as soon as the incident was reported. Search and rescue operations were promptly launched, with residents also joining in to assist.
Visuals from the site revealed the chaos that followed the crash. Videos showed people in panic, with some forming human chains to help pull injured passengers up the steep hillside.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand | One person dead, seven injured after an 18-seater bus falls into the Alaknanda river in Gholthir of Rudraprayag district. Teamsof SDRF, Police and Administration conduct search and rescue oeprationd
Video source: Police pic.twitter.com/dgdznAc0ck — ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2025
Senior officials from the police, district administration, and disaster response teams are closely monitoring the ongoing situation. The Rudraprayag administration has urged the public to refrain from spreading rumours and to rely solely on official updates.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed grief on the incident and tweeted, “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.”
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami tweets, “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… https://t.co/0SjcCRkNV0 pic.twitter.com/FsL724qY1T — ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2025
The tragic accident occurred amid continued heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated parts of the state, heightening concerns over similar incidents in the region’s hilly terrain.
Rescue operations remain underway, with efforts focused on locating the missing and ensuring medical care for the injured.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
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