22 pilgrims killed in bus mishap in Uttarakhand

At least 22 pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh were killed on Tuesday and 8 others injured when a bus in which they were travelling fell into Ganga river at Kodiyala in Tehri district of Uttarakhand, police said.

The mishap occurred near Byasi on Tuesday afternoon when the private tourist bus, carrying 45 passengers including 20 women, was going to Badrinath from Rishikesh, they said.

All the 22 bodies have been recovered in the search and rescue operation that lasted for more than four hours, they said. Senior administrative and police officials were present on the spot to supervise the operation.

The injured have been admitted to Rishikesh government hospital.

Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi and Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna have expressed grief over the death of pilgrims.

In his condolence message, Bahuguna has prayed for the peace of the departed souls.

The chief minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to those seriously injured.