Tragedy Strikes Kedarnath: Landslide Claims Three Lives, Injures Eight

Three devotees lost their lives and eight others sustained injuries following a landslide on the Kedarnath Dham trekking route in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district. State Disaster Response Force and disaster management teams conducted rescue operations. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami mourned the loss and ensured medical attention for the injured.

Three devotees lost their lives and eight others sustained injuries in a landslide on the Kedarnath Dham trekking route in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district on Sunday, officials reported.

Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar stated that the incident occurred around 7:30 am near Chirbasa on the Gaurikund-Kedarnath trek. Heavy stones and debris from the hill struck the devotees.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and disaster management teams arrived at the scene promptly, launching an extensive search and rescue operation.

Those killed were identified as Kishore Arun Parate from Maharashtra's Nagpur, Sunil Mahadev Kale from Maharashtra's Jalna district, and Anurag Bisht from Rudraprayag.

SDRF sources confirmed that three bodies were recovered, and eight injured individuals were immediately transported to the hospital. The rescue operation remains in progress.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the fatalities. In a post on X, Dhami stated, 'Relief and rescue work is ongoing at the accident site. I am in constant communication with officials. Instructions have been given to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.'

(With inputs from agencies.)