Around 12 people were killed and 15 others injured after a tempo traveler carrying more than 23 passengers fell into a deep gorge on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag on Saturday, according to State Disaster Response Force commandant Manikant Mishra. Mishra added that the death toll might rise as some of the injured are in serious condition.
Mishra mentioned that it was initially unclear how many people were in the tempo traveler.
News agency ANI reported that the SDRF and police teams were conducting rescue operations. So far, two injured individuals have been transported to a hospital by ambulance.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident.
उत्तराखंड के रुद्रप्रयाग में हुई सड़क दुर्घटना का दु:खद समाचार प्राप्त हुआ। मेरी संवेदनाएँ इस हादसे में जान गँवाने वालों के परिजनों के साथ हैं। स्थानीय प्रशासन और SDRF की टीमें राहत व बचाव कार्य में जुटी हैं और घायलों को हर सम्भव सहायता उपलब्ध कराई जा रही है। ईश्वर से घायलों के…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 15, 2024
“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,” Amit Shah wrote on X.