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Uttarakhand: 2 Dead After Bus Carrying Pilgrims Plunged Into Alakananda River ; 10 Others Missing

The accident occured when the bus was travelling uphill towards the Badrinath shrine, a key destination in the Char Dham Yatra.

Rescue operation underway after a tempo traveller carrying pilgrims fell into the Alaknanda River, in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, Thursday, June 26, 2025. PTI Photo

A pilgrimage turned into a tragedy on Thursday morning when a bus carrying 20 people fell into the Alaknanda River in Rudraprayag district. At least two pilgrims have been confirmed dead, while the search is on for the ten others that are missing.

The accident occured when the bus was travelling uphill towards the Badrinath shrine, a key destination in the Char Dham Yatra. According to initial reports, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to plunge into the river.

The bus was carrying pilgrims from Gujarat and Rajasthan. 

Rescue operation began around 8 am, led by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the local police. Before the bus was fully submerged, some passengers were thrown out by the impact. They were rescued by the local residents and rescue teams 

So far seven survivors, including two children have been rescued and were taken to the nearby hospitals.

Officials described the rescue effort as "challenging" due to the river's fast-flowing current. "Our teams are on site, working with the police and local administration to find the missing individuals," said SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi.

The SDRF said in a statement, “Upon receiving information about a tempo traveller vehicle falling into a deep gorge in the Gholtir area of Rudraprayag district, police teams from Agastyamuni, Ratoora, and Gauchar police stations, along with SDRF units, were immediately dispatched to the spot.”

“The rescue teams swiftly began relief and rescue operations, safely evacuating some of the injured and sending them to the hospital for treatment. One body has also been recovered, while search and rescue efforts are ongoing for the remaining individuals,” the statement added.

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his grief. Taking on X the CM posted “The news of a tempo traveler falling into a river in Rudraprayag district is extremely sad. Relief and rescue work is being done on a war footing by SDRF and other rescue teams. I am constantly in touch with the local administration in this regard. I pray to God for everyone's safety.” 

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This incident follows another recent tragedy on June 15, when a helicopter crash near Kedarnath killed seven people. The region has been experiencing difficult conditions with the onset of the monsoon, leading to landslides and other hazards.

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