25 pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh were killed and three seriously injured on Sunday evening on their way to Yamunotri temple in Uttarkashi district in which they were traveling.
Uttarkashi District Disaster Management Officer Devendra Patwal said that the accident took place on NH-94 near Rikhavu Khad on the way to Himalaya pilgrimage, about two kilometers from Dumta.
Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi told that the pilgrims were from Panna district of Madhya Pradesh.
Apart from the driver and helper, 28 passengers were on board the bus.
Patwal said 17 bodies have been recovered so far and search is on for the rest.
Three people injured in the accident have been admitted to the Community Health Center in Damta.
Apart from ambulances from Barkot, Nagaon and Nainbagh, police and SDRF teams have been sent to the spot.
As soon as the information about the accident was received, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami immediately visited the disaster control room located at the Secretariat. He asked the District Magistrate of Uttarkashi to expedite the relief and rescue work.
“The authorities concerned have been directed to investigate the accident. May God rest the departed souls at their feet and give strength to their families to bear the loss. Also, I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured,” Dhami said in a tweet in Hindi.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also spoke to Mr Dhami for an update on the situation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and Uttarakhand Governor Gurmeet Singh have expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.
“The news of the bus accident in Uttarakhand is very painful. I express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in all possible help on the spot.
“The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the accident in Uttarakhand. The injured will be given Rs 50,000 each,” it added.
President Kovind has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
In a tweet in Hindi, he said, “I am hurt by the sad news of the death of people in a bus accident in Uttarakhand.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Mr Dhami after the accident and said that local rescue teams are engaged in the rescue operation, while National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel will also reach the spot soon.
“Very sad to hear about the bus of devotees falling into the gorge in Uttarakhand. I have spoken to Chief Minister @pushkardami on this. Local administration and SDRF teams are engaged in rescue work and the injured are being taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. NDRF is also reaching there soon,” Mr Shah said in a tweet in Hindi.
The Himalayan temples of Yamunotri, Badrinath, Kedarnath and Gangotri are commonly known as Char Dham.