In the district of Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, an unforeseen tragedy struck on Saturday when a minibus veered off the Badrinath National Highway, plummeting approximately 660 feet into the depths of the Alaknanda River.
According to the latest reports, this devastating accident has claimed the lives of 14 individuals, and many of the wounded have been airlifted for urgent medical treatment.
Did the Driver Doze Off at the Wheel?
It has been reported that most of the 26 passengers aboard were asleep during their journey from New Delhi towards Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila for a trekking expedition. The speculation suggests that a sudden lapse in the driver's alertness around 11:30 AM may have led to the catastrophe.
The minibus was not registered for the Char Dham pilgrimage, hence it did not have the required trip card or passenger registrations, which are mandatory for vehicles on that route.
Source: aajtak
A List of the Deceased and the Injured
Among those who lost their lives are Smriti Sharma (28), Mohani Pandey (27), driver Karan Singh, and others, with some victims yet to be identified. Several individuals receiving treatment at Rudraprayag District Hospital have been named, including Vandana Sharma, Mahima Tripathi, and more, while critically injured passengers were air-evacuated for specialized care at AIIMS Rishikesh.
Medical Response at AIIMS Rishikesh
All the injured are currently being treated at AIIMS Rishikesh. The severity of injuries ranges from serious head traumas to limb fractures. Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made a heartfelt visit to AIIMS Rishikesh to inquire about the welfare of the victims and directed the medical staff to ensure the best possible treatment.
Source: aajtak
CM Dhami Calls for Thorough Investigation
Expressing sorrow over the incident, Chief Minister Dhami has instructed a full-scale investigation. He emphasized the need for effective measures to control vehicular accidents across the state.
Following the accident, it was communicated through social media platforms that local authorities and SDRF teams were engaged in relief and rescue operations. The injured were admitted to nearby hospitals, with critically injured individuals being air-transported to AIIMS Rishikesh.
PM Modi Announces Compensation
Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences for the tragic event. He stated that the road accident in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, is heart-wrenching, and he shares deep sympathies with the families of the victims. The PM has announced monetary compensation of 2 lakh rupees to the kin of the deceased and 50,000 rupees to the injured.
