INDIA. Mumbai: On Sunday, a minibus transporting Char Dham yatra pilgrims lost control and crashed into a 500-meter deep gorge at Rikhaun hamlet on the Yamunotri route in Uttarakhand, India evening, killing as least 25 people and injuring five more.
The bus carrying Char Dham yatra pilgrims had arrived from Panna (in Madhya Pradesh) and was on its way to Yamunotri. It fell into a gorge between Damta and Naugaon.
“The bus was carrying 30 people, including 28 passengers, a cleaner, and a driver. Of these 25 persons died,” Uttarakhand BJP MLA Durgesh Lal said.
“The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the accident in Uttarakhand. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 each,” PMO tweeted.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief and said in a tweet in Hindi that he spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. “SDRF teams are already on the spot carrying out rescue operations. NDRF teams are also reaching the site,” he added.
“The SDRF team immediately arrived at the spot. Damta lies between Dehradun and Uttarkashi, and rescue from Dehradun is easier. Hospitals nearby have already been informed. All rescue efforts are underway. In a tweet, Madhya Pradesh chief minister had called as well. “We are in continuous touch,” said the CMO, Uttarkhand.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami reached the disaster control room in Dehradun. He directed the district administration to carry out relief and rescue work expeditiously along with proper treatment of the injured, CMO, Uttarkhand added.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in a tweet that the MP administration is in touch with Uttarakhand Government, and the arrangements have been made to bring the bodies of the deceased to Madhya Pradesh. The tragedy is sad, and the MP government is with the victims and their families.
