14 Dead As Tempo Falls Into Gorge on Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway, Ex-gratia of Rs 2 Lakh Announced

Dehradun: In a tragic incident, at least 14 people lost their lives while 12 others were left injured after a tempo traveller carrying around 26 passengers fell into a gorge on Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway in Rudraprayag on Saturday. Teams of local police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) carried out rescue operations on the spot of the incident. The vehicle, which fell into the gorge was coming from Noida, Police said.

Here is what we know so far:

• The vehicle, carrying 26 passengers who had come here to visit Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila trip, went out of control and crashed into a ditch about 500 meters below the main road.
• The district control room in Rudraprayag informed the SDRF team that a tempo traveler vehicle crashed and fell into a ditch near Raitoli area on the Badrinath highway, in which the SDRF team was required for rescue.
• Two teams of 14 members of the SDRF, which were sent to the spot with rescue equipment, carried out the rescue operation near Raitoli on the Badrinath Highway.

PM Modi Announces Ex-gratia of Rs 2 Lakh to Next of Kin of Deceased

Terming the incident in Rudraprayag “heartbreaking”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in road accident. 

He also wished speedy recovery to all the injured, and said that under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in all possible help to the victims.

PM Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased. Those injured in the accident would receive Rs 50,000.

President Murmu Expresses ‘Deepest Condolences’ to Bereaved Families

The news of the death of several people in a road accident in Rudraprayag is sad, President Droupadi Murmu wrote in a post on social media platform ‘X’. 

“I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured”, she added.

12 Dead, 7 Airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh 

Reports said that 12 people, travelling in the vehicle which fell in the gorge, have died while 7 critical patients have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh. 7 injured passengers have been admitted at the District Hospital of Rudraprayag, said Dr. Bimlesh Joshi, Assistant Director, State Nodal (Health) Disasters. 

Death Toll Rises to 10 

As per the latest update, the death toll in the Rudraprayag incident has risen to 10. 

8 Dead, Rescue Ops Underway; IG 

As per the latest update, 8 people have been killed  and several have been admitted in a nearby hospital for further treatment. Rescue operation is underway, said Inspector General of Garhwal, Karan Singh Nagnyal. 

“Rudraprayag SP is on the spot...The tempo traveller was coming from Noida (UP) towards Rudraprayag...It fell into a 150-200 metre deep gorge. 7 bodies have been recovered. 9 people were rushed to the hospital during which 1 of them died. The driver is very critically injured. So, it is not clear how many people were onboard the vehicle. Police, SDRF and local people are engaged in rescue operations...Rescue operation is underway,” said IG Garhwal Karan Singh Nagnyal, as quoted by ANI.

CM Dhami orders investigation

“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,” said Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami in a post on X.

The Chief Minister has ordered an investigation into the matter. “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,” he added.

(This is a developing story)