Uttarakhand Tragedy: Car Plunges Into Alaknanda River; One Rescued, Five Feared Dead

In a tragic incident near Devprayag in Uttarakhand on Saturday, a car carrying a family from Haridwar veered off a mountain road and plunged into a 300-metre-deep gorge, sinking into the Alaknanda River.

Authorities rescued one woman from the wreckage, while five others, including two children, are feared dead.

Family Trip To Dhari Devi Temple

The accident occurred near the Badshah Hotel area, under the jurisdiction of the Devprayag police station.

The family, traveling in a Thar SUV, was headed to the Dhari Devi temple, a revered pilgrimage site, when the vehicle lost control and tumbled down the gorge into the river.

Initial reports identified the victims as members of a family from Roorkee, located in the Haridwar district.

55-Year-Old Woman Survives, Five Missing

Rescuers identified the lone survivor as Anita (55), the wife of Shri Madan Singh. She was promptly rescued by local police and emergency teams and rushed to Base Hospital Srinagar for urgent treatment.

Anita, originally from the Chamoli district, currently resides in Roorkee.

She informed authorities that the SUV carried six occupants at the time of the crash, including two women, two children, one man, and herself.

Driver Reportedly Lost Control Near Devprayag

According to police, the driver lost control of the vehicle on the winding, mountainous road near the Badshah Hotel.

The SUV plunged down the steep slope and was swept into the fast-flowing Alaknanda River, complicating rescue efforts.

SDRF And Police Launch Search Operation

Rescue teams, including personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police, rushed to the scene and began search and retrieval operations.

Station Incharge Mahipal Rawat confirmed that intensive efforts are ongoing to locate the submerged vehicle and the missing passengers. However, treacherous terrain and powerful river currents are significantly hampering progress.

Authorities Urge Caution On Mountain Roads

The incident has cast a pall of grief over the area and sparked renewed calls for road safety, especially during the busy pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand.

Authorities have appealed to drivers to exercise extreme caution while navigating the region’s steep and winding roads.

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