In a tragic accident on Saturday, at least 10 people lost their lives when a tempo traveller carrying 23 passengers plunged into a gorge in Uttarakhand. The accident occurred on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway near Raitoli in the Rudraprayag district.
The minibus fell into the Alaknanda River, prompting an immediate response from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police, who are currently engaged in rescue operations. Officials reported that some individuals standing on the roadside were also injured in the accident.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences and termed the incident “very sad news.”
He has instructed the district magistrate to investigate the accident thoroughly. “I pray to God to grant the souls of the departed a place in his feet and provide strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense pain. I pray to Baba Kedar for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he posted in Hindi on X, formerly Twitter.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and the injured are being airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for treatment, according to officials.
