What Caused the Bus Tragedy in Uttarakhand?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- One confirmed fatality linked to the bus accident.
- Ten individuals reported missing after falling into the river.
- Rescue teams are actively searching for the missing passengers.
- Heavy rainfall in the region has contributed to the accident.
- Public urged to rely on official updates to avoid misinformation.
Rudraprayag, June 26 (NationPress) - A tragic incident has unfolded in Uttarakhand, where at least one individual has lost their life and 10 others are unaccounted for. A bus, which was transporting 18 passengers from Rishikesh to Badrinath, unexpectedly veered off the road while ascending in Rudraprayag district, plunging into the swollen Alaknanda River near Gholtir.
As per rescue officials, seven individuals have been successfully rescued, and six of them have been transferred to nearby medical facilities.
Initial reports indicate that the driver lost control of the bus, resulting in the vehicle tumbling into the river below.
Upon receiving news of the incident, emergency response teams from the police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local authorities rapidly arrived at the scene to commence rescue operations.
The search efforts were bolstered by local residents who volunteered to assist in the rescue.
Footage from the scene depicted the ensuing chaos, with individuals in panic and forming human chains to assist injured passengers up the steep hillside.
The exact number of occupants in the bus has yet to be confirmed, as the vehicle remains submerged. Preliminary estimates suggest there were between 15 and 18 individuals on board.
Senior officials from law enforcement, district administration, and disaster response teams are closely overseeing the developments.
The Rudraprayag administration has issued a statement advising the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and to rely solely on official communications.
This unfortunate event coincided with ongoing heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue alerts for isolated areas experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall, raising alarms about potential additional accidents in the challenging terrain.
Search and rescue operations are still underway, with the primary objective being to locate the missing individuals and provide medical assistance to the injured.