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Uttarakhand Pilgrims’ Bus Plunges Into Alaknanda River, Toll Rises to Five

Violent monsoon-swollen currents have stalled rescue operations as officials investigate whether a truck collision sent the bus over the riverbank.

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Overview

  • The body of 19-year-old Mauli Soni was recovered around 40 km downstream in Pauri district on June 28, bringing the confirmed death toll to five.
  • Eight passengers remain unaccounted for nearly two days after the June 26 crash, with teams warning that strong currents and poor visibility limit recovery chances.
  • State and national disaster response forces, ITBP, police and fire units are conducting coordinated searches along steep gorges and muddy waters.
  • The injured driver alleges a truck struck the bus from the opposite direction, prompting authorities to examine collision dynamics and road-safety measures.
  • The accident has renewed scrutiny of narrow Himalayan pilgrimage routes prone to sharp bends, overcrowding and monsoon-heightened hazards.