Rescue operations are underway in Rudraprayag district after a Chardham Yatra bus plunged 300 meters into the Alaknanda River near Gholtir on Thursday morning, leaving two dead, several injured, and others missing.
The bus, carrying 20 pilgrims en route from Rudraprayag to Badrinath, lost control and fell into a gorge near the State Bank turn before submerging in the river.
Eight people were rescued with injuries, two of whom were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh in critical condition. One of the survivors, Deepika from Rajasthan, recounted, “A truck hit our vehicle during the night journey. I don’t know what happened to the others.”
Rescue teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, fire department, and local volunteers, quickly responded. Some passengers reportedly jumped from the vehicle before it submerged, and were brought to safety and sent to the District Hospital, Rudraprayag.
SDRF Inspector Manjari Negi confirmed that search teams have been divided into three zones—Goa Beach near Dhari Devi, Srinagar Dam, and Sirobgadh. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel have also joined the mission, using binoculars and rafts to locate those still missing.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Vishal Soni (42), Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh
- Drimi (17), Surat, Gujarat
The list of injured includes:
- Deepika Soni (42), Sirohi, Rajasthan
- Hemlata Soni (45), Gogunda, Rajasthan
- Ishwar Soni (46), Gujarat
- Amita Soni (49), Mira Road, Maharashtra
- Bhavana Ishwar Soni (43), Gujarat
- Bhavya Soni (7), Gujarat
- Parth Soni (10), Madhya Pradesh
- Sumit Kumar (23), driver, Haridwar
Reported missing passengers:
- Ravi Bhavasar (28), Udaipur, Rajasthan
- Mouli Soni (19), Surat, Gujarat
- Lalit Kumar Soni (48), Gogunda, Rajasthan
- Gauri Soni (41), Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh
- Sanjay Soni (55), Udaipur, Rajasthan
- Mayuri (24), Surat, Gujarat
- Chetna Soni (52), Udaipur, Rajasthan
- Chettha (12), Surat, Gujarat
- Katta Ranjana Ashok (54), Mira Road, Maharashtra
- Sushila Soni (77), Udaipur, Rajasthan
The rescue effort remains challenging due to the strong river currents and difficult terrain. A joint team of SDRF, NDRF, district police, and fire services is working tirelessly to recover the missing.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed sorrow over the tragedy, posting on X: “The news of a tempo traveller falling into a river in Rudraprayag is deeply tragic. Relief and rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing. I am in constant contact with the administration. Praying for everyone’s safety.”
Authorities estimate that strong currents may have swept the victims as far as 40 km downstream to the Srinagar Garhwal Dam. The search operation continues.