53 pilgrim deaths in Char Dham this season, Kedarnath shrine leads at 28

AS many as 53 pilgrims have lost their lives during the world-renowned Char Dham Yatra so far in Uttarakhand this season, with 28 deaths occurring at the Kedarnath shrine alone, official reports from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said.

- NARENDRA SETHI @ Dehradun

Breaking the attendance record, over 15.63 lakh pilgrims have visited the four shrines since their commencement on April 19. Badrinath has recorded 10 deaths, while Yamunotri and Gangotri have reported 8 and 7, respectively. Health officials attribute these casualties primarily to health-related complications rather than accidents, citing heart attacks, high-altitude sickness, hypertension, and extreme weather as the leading causes.