DEHRADUN: A tragic accident struck Uttarakhand’s Char Dham route on Thursday morning when a bus carrying pilgrims to Badrinath plunged into the Alaknanda River. The accident occurred around 7:50 am between Rudraprayag and Gauchar on the Badrinath National Highway.
Three pilgrims were confirmed dead, while nine others remain missing, feared to have been swept away by the river’s strong currents, police said. Eight passengers were injured, several critically.
According to a police officer at the scene, there has been “no trace of the nine people who were washed away,” despite ongoing rescue efforts.
The ill-fated 31-seater bus was carrying pilgrims from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Driver’s Statement:
Driver Sumit Kumar, who survived, claimed the accident was caused by a head-on collision with a speeding truck, which struck the bus on his side.
“After which I lost control and the bus fell into Alaknanda,” he told authorities.
Police said this version is yet to be verified, and that rescue efforts remain the top priority.
Rescue & Relief:
SDRF media in-charge Vineet Devrani said eight people were thrown out of the bus by the impact before it submerged:
“Rescue teams from the police, fire department, SDRF, and locals reached the site promptly… The injured were taken to Rudraprayag district hospital.”
Four critically injured individuals — Deepika Soni, Hemlata Soni, Ishwar Soni, and driver Sumit Kumar — were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh, confirmed Chief Medical Officer Ram Prakash.
Casualties Identified:
According to SP Akshay Prahlad Konde, the deceased have been identified as:
- Vishal Soni (42) – Rajgarh, MP
- Dreamy (17) – Surat, Gujarat
- Gauri Soni (41) – Rajgarh, MP
Injured Survivors:
- Deepika Soni (42) – Sirohi, Rajasthan
- Hemlata Soni (45) – Rajasthan
- Ishwar Soni (46) – Surat, Gujarat
- Amita Soni (49) – Mira Road, Maharashtra
- Bhavna Soni (43) – Surat, Gujarat
- Bhavya Soni (7) – Surat, Gujarat
- Parth Soni (10) – Rajgarh, MP
- Sumit Kumar (23) – Driver, Haridwar
Missing Persons:
- Ravi Bhavsar (28) – Udaipur, Rajasthan
- Mauli Soni (19) – Surat, Gujarat
- Lalit Kumar Soni (48) – Gogunda, Rajasthan
- Sanjay Soni (55) – Udaipur, Rajasthan
- Mayuri (24) – Surat, Gujarat
- Chetna Soni (52) – Udaipur, Rajasthan
- Cheshta (12) – Surat, Gujarat
- Ranjana Ashok (54) – Mira Road, Maharashtra
- Sushila Soni (77) – Udaipur, Rajasthan
Search operations continue as authorities fear more may have been swept away by the river. The incident has cast a shadow over the sacred Char Dham Yatra, prompting calls for improved safety measures along the mountainous routes.