One Dead, 11 Missing as Passenger Bus Plunges into Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand

A bus carrying 18-19 passengers plunged into the Alaknanda River

A tragic accident unfolded on Thursday in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district when a passenger bus plunged into the Alaknanda River in the Gholtir area along the Badrinath National Highway. The vehicle, believed to be a tempo traveller carrying between 18 and 19 passengers, veered off the road while traveling uphill and fell into the river, prompting a large-scale rescue operation.

According to Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, one person has been confirmed dead, and seven others— including two 9-year-old children—sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Eleven passengers remain unaccounted for as rescue teams continue their efforts.

A bus carrying 18-19 passengers plunged into the Alaknanda River

Secretary of Disaster Management Vinod Kumar Suman stated that the incident occurred when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. Emergency response teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and administrative officials, are actively working at the scene to locate the missing passengers.

The accident site is located on a mountainous stretch of the highway, a route frequently traveled by pilgrims heading toward the Badrinath shrine. Authorities are yet to release the identities of those involved, and further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.