Tragedy Strikes Pilgrim Bus in Uttarakhand
A devastating bus accident in Uttarakhand has claimed five lives and left thirteen people injured. The tragic incident occurred on Monday morning when a bus carrying pilgrims fell into a deep gorge while the driver attempted to reverse the vehicle.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The 31-seater bus was carrying 29 pilgrims who had visited the famous Maa Kunjapuri Temple in Tehri Garhwal district. According to police reports, the accident took place around 11:30 am during the return journey from the temple.
The bus had originally departed from Rishikesh's Sadanand Ashram for the temple visit. While reversing on the mountainous road near Kunjapuri–Hindolakhal close to Narendra Nagar, the vehicle lost control and plunged approximately 70 meters into a deep gorge.
Rescue Operations and Casualties
Immediately after receiving the alert, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched a massive rescue operation. Five SDRF teams from Post Dhalwala, Post Koti Colony, and SDRF Battalion Headquarters were dispatched to the accident site.
Police confirmed that five people were declared dead at the scene. Among the injured, five critically wounded passengers were referred to All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh for specialized treatment.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Anita Chauhan from Dwarka, Delhi
- Parthsathi Madhusudan Joshi from Vadodara, Gujarat
- Namita Prabhukal from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Anuj Venkatraman from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Ashu Tyagi from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh
The injured passengers hailed from various states including Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, highlighting the national character of the pilgrimage.
Official Response and Investigation
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the news as "extremely saddening." In his statement, he confirmed that he was in constant touch with local authorities and assured that all necessary medical assistance was being provided to the injured.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the bus, registered in 2013, had a pending challan for traffic violation from 2022 according to data available on the Parivahan portal.
Police officials noted that the exact number of passengers inside the bus at the time of accident is still being ascertained, as some pilgrims were reportedly waiting for another vehicle outside the bus when the tragedy occurred.
The station house officer of Narendranagar police station confirmed that at least 18 people were inside the bus when it fell into the gorge. The SDRF successfully rescued all passengers trapped in the wreckage.
Maa Kunjapuri Temple, situated at an altitude of 1,676 meters above sea level, is a popular pilgrimage destination in Uttarakhand, attracting devotees from across the country throughout the year.
