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At least 12 dead as van falls into gorge in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag

At least 12 people lost their lives and 12 others were critically injured after a van fell into the Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district on Saturday.

Twenty-six passengers were travelling from the National Capital Region to the hills when the accident took place, supposedly after the driver lost control over the vehicle.

The Commandant, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Manikant Mishra, told The Hindu that the accident took place near a turn ahead of Rudraprayag city. The vehicle had a Haryana registration number.

“The police got the information about the accident and rescue teams were immediately rushed to the spot. Ten people were found dead while one each died on their way to the AIIMS Rishikesh and the Rudraprayag government hospital respectively,” said Mr. Mishra.

The district administration said 10 of 12 deceased were identified. the Doctors at AIIMS Rishikesh said that among the five persons brought in, two are in critical condition.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered the District Magistrate to investigate the cause of the incident. “We are fully committed to provide all possible assistance to the injured,” said Mr. Dhami, who also visited the AIIMS and took the stock of the treatment being given to the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, and ₹50,000 for the injured, said the PMO in a communique.

Home Minister Amit Shaha took to X (formerly Twitter) and said, “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. All possible help is being provided to the injured. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the deaths in the accident and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.