12 dead as minibus falls into gorge in India

International Desk Published: 15 June 2024, 06:24 PM

12 dead as minibus falls into gorge in India

Rescue operation underway after a vehicle fell into a gorge in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag, Saturday, June 15, 2024. Several passengers feared dead. Photo: PTI via The Telegraph, India

At least 12 people were killed after a tempo traveller carrying 23 passengers fell into a gorge in Uttarakhand on Saturday, officials said.

The accident took place on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway near Raitoli in the Rudraprayag district.

The minibus fell into the Alaknanda River and teams of the State Disaster Response Force and police are currently engaged in rescue operations, officials said.

People who were standing on the roadside have sustained injuries in the accident, sources said.

Calling the incident "very sad news", Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the district magistrate has been ordered to investigate the accident.

"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," he posted in Hindi on X, formerly Twitter.

Injured people are now being airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh, officials said.

Source: NDTV