Rudraprayag, June 26: A major tragedy struck Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district on Wednesday evening when a passenger bus carrying 18 people fell into the Alaknanda River near Gholtir, leaving at least 11 persons missing and one confirmed dead. The mishap occurred along a dangerous stretch of the Badrinath Highway, known for sharp bends and steep gorges.
According to officials, the bus was traveling from Rishikesh towards Badrinath, carrying pilgrims from different parts of the country. The accident reportedly took place around 5:30 PM when the driver lost control of the vehicle on a curve, leading it to plunge approximately 150 meters down into the river.
“Rescue operations began immediately with the help of SDRF, police, and local residents,” said Rudraprayag District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar. “So far, seven people have been rescued alive, though many are injured. One body has been recovered, and search efforts are on to locate the remaining 10 passengers.”
The fast-flowing Alaknanda River, swollen by recent rains, has made rescue operations extremely challenging. Authorities have deployed divers, rescue boats, and drones to aid in the search. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have also joined the effort.
Local eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene as the bus hurtled down the slope. “We heard a loud crash and rushed to the spot. We could see parts of the bus in the river, but the current was too strong to do anything immediately,” said Mohan Singh, a resident of a nearby village.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the incident and assured all possible support to the affected families. “I am deeply saddened by the accident in Rudraprayag. Our teams are on the ground, and rescue operations are underway. I pray for the safety of those still missing,” he said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The state government has announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Officials have also ordered a probe into the cause of the accident, including a review of road safety measures along the Badrinath route.
Road accidents are unfortunately common in the hilly terrains of Uttarakhand, particularly during the monsoon season when roads become slippery and visibility is reduced. Authorities have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols for vehicles plying on high-altitude routes.
As of Thursday morning, rescue operations continue, and hopes remain high for the safe recovery of the missing passengers. The incident has cast a shadow over the annual Char Dham pilgrimage, a time when thousands travel through the fragile Himalayan terrain.
