14 dead as Tempo traveller plunges into gorge in Uttarakhand; many seriously injured

RUDRAPRAYAG: The death toll rose to 14 after a tempo traveller fell into a gorge in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district on Saturday. As per reports, almost 16 people have suffered injuries in the accident. The Tempo Traveler, travelling from Ghaziabad to Chopta Tunganath with 26 passengers, overturned on the banks of the Alaknanda River off the Badrinath National Highway.

Seven injured were airlifted to AIIMS in Rishikesh and nine to Rudraprayag District Hospital. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami informed that the District Magistrate has been ordered to investigate the incident. The CM also expressed grief over the accident.

The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained but officials doubt the chances of the driver dozing off while at the wheel. There were 26 passengers in the vehicle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an Ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.