A bus with 15–18 passengers heading from Rishikesh to Badrinath fell into the Alaknanda River near Gholtir, Rudraprayag. With at least six injured and one fatality confirmed, the officials and locals have rescued seven people. As per reports, ten have been reported missing.

Preliminary information suggests that the Rishikesh to Badrinath bus was going uphill when the driver lost control. A survivor, injured severly, revealed that a truck hit the bus following which it fell in the ditch. The Police and the State Disaster Response Force are working in close collaboration to carry out the rescue efforts.

Bus accident in Uttarakand

“A bus went out of control and fell into the Alaknanda river in Gholthir area of ​​Rudraprayag district. As per information received so far, 18 people were on board the bus,” Nilesh Anand Bharane, spokesperson for the Police Headquarters told ANI. With prompt efforts, the injured have reached the district hospital where first aid and other care has been provided.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his concern and grief following the Rudraprayag bus accident. He took to social media and assured rescue operations are underway.

Injured have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh via heli-ambulance for immediate medical assistance. SDRF and water police teams are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations to search for missing passengers.

Caution reaches Srinagar

Regarding rescue operation on Alaknanda river in connection with bus accident in Rudraprayag, SDRF Inspector Manjari Negi says, “As soon as our team received this information, we all gathered here. One team of the SSB is also present. We divided the team into three parts: one near Goa Beach, one near Dhari Devi, and one on the dam. We have split the SSB team into these three sections and are constantly searching with binoculars and ourselves. Whatever we find here, we will recover. We have OVM and rafts. If anyone sees something, we will recover it.”