8 dead, 15 injured as tempo traveller falls into gorge in Uttarakhand

• Tempo traveller accident in Rudraprayag leaves 8 dead, 15 injured
• Rescue operations underway; seriously injured being airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh
• Uttarakhand CM and Union Home Minister offer condolences and ensure assistance

A tragic accident occurred on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag on Saturday when a tempo traveller carrying over 23 people fell into a deep gorge. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) commandant Manikant Mishra confirmed that eight people were killed and 15 others injured in the incident. "It was immediately not clear how many people were travelling in the tempo traveller," Mishra stated, adding that the death toll might rise as some injured are in serious condition. SDRF and police teams are conducting rescue operations, with two injured individuals already transported to a hospital.

Reacting to the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced, "People seriously injured in the Rudraprayag road accident are being airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh. Instructions have been given to the officials for better treatment of the injured. Our government is committed to provide all possible help to the injured." In a previous post, he expressed his sorrow and instructed the district magistrate to investigate the incident. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his condolences, stating, "My condolences are with the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. The local administration and SDRF teams are engaged in relief and rescue work and all possible help is being provided to the injured."