On June 26, a passenger bus carrying 18 people veered off a mountain road and plunged into the turbulent Alaknanda River near Gholtir, in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand resulting in the death of one person and injuries to at least seven others. Several passengers are feared missing as search and rescue operations continue in the challenging Himalayan terrain.
The disaster unfolded in the Gholtir area, a narrow and accident-prone stretch of road known for sharp turns and steep slopes. Initial reports suggest the 18-seater bus lost control—possibly due to a brake failure or driver error—and tumbled into the river that flows dozens of feet below.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand | One person dead, seven injured after an 18-seater bus falls into the Alaknanda river in Gholthir of Rudraprayag district. Teamsof SDRF, Police and Administration conduct search and rescue oeprationd
Video source: Police pic.twitter.com/dgdznAc0ck
— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2025
Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the casualty count and stated that rescue efforts are underway. “One person has died and seven others are injured. Teams from the SDRF, local police, and district administration are on-site conducting search and rescue operations,” he said.
Police forces from Augustmuni, Ratura, and Gochar, along with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, swiftly reached the accident site. However, the operation has been severely hampered by the rugged Himalayan terrain and the Alaknanda’s treacherous currents.
Visuals from the scene depict the enormity of the tragedy: mangled wreckage lodged between rocks, rescue workers rappelling down steep inclines, and villagers forming human chains to assist in pulling up the injured.
IG Nilesh Anand Bharane, spokesperson from Police Headquarters, noted, “The bus went out of control and fell into the Alaknanda River. As per available information, there were 18 people on board. Our personnel are working round the clock to trace the missing.”
Some of the injured survivors have been evacuated to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. The identities of the deceased and injured are yet to be officially released as families are being notified.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep anguish over the mishap. Taking to social media platform X, he stated:
जनपद रुद्रप्रयाग में एक टेंपो ट्रैवलर के नदी में गिरने का समाचार अत्यंत दुःखद है। SDRF सहित अन्य बचाव दलों द्वारा युद्ध स्तर पर राहत एवं बचाव कार्य किया जा रहा है।
इस संबंध में निरंतर स्थानीय प्रशासन से संपर्क में हूं। ईश्वर से सभी के सकुशल होने की प्रार्थना करता हूं।
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) June 26, 2025
“The news of a tempo traveller falling into a river in Rudraprayag district is extremely saddening. SDRF and other rescue teams are carrying out relief and rescue operations on a war footing. I am in constant touch with the local administration regarding the incident. I pray to God for everyone’s safety.”
