On Saturday morning, a grave accident occured in Rudraprayag, Uttrakhand killing 14 people and leaving 12 injured. Following the accident, Uttrakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered an investigation into the accident.
Uttarakhand: 8 people died, 15 injured when a tempo traveller fell into a deep gorge near Badrinath Highway in Rudraprayag.
Rescue operation underway.
People seriously injured in the Rudraprayag road accident are being airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh. (Video: SDRF) pic.twitter.com/cpQlu72hNF— SK Chakraborty (@sanjoychakra) June 15, 2024
“A tempo travel vehicle carrying 26 people to Chopta met with an accident near Rantoli near Rudraprayag headquarters. The vehicle fell 200 meters from the highway due to which 10 people died on the spot and four others died either on their way to the hospital or during treatment,” said a statement from the SDRF.
At around 11:30 pm, the vehicle was at a blind turn ahead of Rudraprayag city when the driver suddenly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the river below. Subsequently, a team of State Disaster Response force immediately reached the spot.
In his X post, the CM expressing his concern wrote, “Very sad news was received about a tempo traveler 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 center 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.”
Union Minister Amit Shah also reacted to the Uttrakhand accident and offered his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. “Received the sad news of the road accident in Rudraprayag, Uttrakhand. 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,” he wrote on X.
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Meanwhile, PM Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Concern over rise in accidents in Uttrakhand
In recent days, the Char Dham Yatra route has been susceptible to various mishaps and accidents, threatening the safety of pilgrims traveling the route. Issuing a strict warning to the officers in charge, the CM has instructed “strict actions” against any department official found negligent of discharging their duties.
