Overview

• An 18-seater bus carrying Char Dham pilgrims from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra veered off the Badrinath National Highway near Gholtir village in Rudraprayag after the driver lost control on an uphill stretch.
• Three passengers have been confirmed dead and eight injured while nine remain unaccounted for following the plunge into the Alaknanda River.
• Teams from the State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, local police and residents formed human chains and deployed divers to retrieve survivors and recover bodies.
• Three critically injured pilgrims were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh by helicopter ambulance for specialized treatment.
• Heavy rainfall has swollen the river and rugged terrain has hampered ongoing search operations.