On Saturday, seven individuals injured in the Rudraprayag tempo traveller accident were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh following orders from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. In a post on ‘X’, the Chief Minister stated, “The seriously injured passengers in the Rudraprayag road accident are being airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh. Instructions have been given to the concerned officials for better treatment of the injured. We are fully committed to providing all possible assistance to the injured.”
The tragic accident, which occurred on Badrinath Highway in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, resulted in ten fatalities and left 13 others injured when the tempo traveller they were in plunged into a deep gorge. The remaining injured individuals are receiving treatment at a hospital in Rudraprayag.
Garhwal IG KS Nagnyal informed ANI that local authorities, residents, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are actively involved in rescue and relief operations. “The tempo traveller was heading towards Rudraprayag from Noida when it fell into the 150-meter-deep ditch. The number of tourists travelling is not clear yet. We have recovered eight bodies and nine persons have been rushed to the hospital. The driver has also sustained severe injuries,” he reported. He also mentioned that a full account of the passengers would be available after the rescue operation is complete.
Chief Minister Dhami has directed the Rudraprayag District Magistrate to conduct an investigation into the incident. Earlier in the day, he expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased. “Very sad news was received about a tempo traveller accident in Rudraprayag district. The local administration and SDRF teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. The injured have been sent to the nearest medical centre for treatment. The District Magistrate has been ordered to investigate the incident. I pray to God to grant the souls of the departed a place in His feet and provide strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense pain. I pray to Baba Kedar for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his sorrow over the accident in a post on ‘X’. “Received the sad news of the road accident in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. My condolences are with the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. The local administration and SDRF teams are engaged in relief and rescue work and all possible help is being provided to the injured. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Shah wrote.