At least two people have died and seven others were injured after a 18-seater bus plunged into the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district. So far, seven people have been rescued, while police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams continue search and rescue operations at the site for the missing 10 passengers.

The vehicle lost control and fell into the Alaknanda River, according to a statement by Police Headquarters spokesperson IG Nilesh Anand Bharane. The passengers, who were traveling from Udaipur, Rajasthan, were going to the Badrinath temple.

“One person has died and seven people injured after an 18-seater bus fell into the Alaknanda river in Gholthir of Rudraprayag district. Teams of SDRF, police and administration are present on the spot for the rescue operation,” said Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey.

Teams from the SDRF and police personnel from Agastyamuni, Ratuda and Gochar police stations are present at the scene, though swift currents and rugged terrain are making their efforts difficult.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the accident and in a post on X said: “The news of a tempo traveller falling into a river in Rudraprayag district is deeply tragic. Relief and rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing by SDRF and other rescue teams. I am in constant contact with the local administration regarding this matter. I pray to God for everyone’s safety.”