Orphaned in bus crash that killed pilgrims, 10-year-old asks God, 'What was our fault?'

DEHRADUN: A heartbreaking video of 10-year-old Parth Soni sobbing by the roadside and pleading with Lord Badrinath after losing both his parents in a tragic bus accident has left many in tears. "Oh Badri-Vishal, what have you done? What did we do wrong? We were your devotees!" he cries in the clip, hands folded, eyes fixed on the Alaknanda river below.

Parth, the only son of Vishal Soni, 42, and Gauri Soni, 41, from MP's Rajgarh, is the sole survivor from his immediate family in the accident on Thursday near Gholtir in Rudraprayag district, which claimed four lives while eight others are still missing. District disaster management officer NK Rajwar said chances of their survival are slim due to the river's strong currents.

The fourth body, identified as Sanjay Soni (55) from Udaipur, was recovered Friday by State Disaster Response Force personnel. Rudraprayag's district emergency operation centre said it will be handed over to the family after legal formalities are completed.

Parth in state of shock, parents'bodies to reach home today

Steep terrain and powerful currents have hindered rescue efforts, with SDRF divers relying on rafts as diving remains too dangerous.

The 31-seater bus was carrying 19 pilgrims from Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP and Maharashtra, all members of an extended family, when it collided with a speeding truck near a sharp bend on the Badrinath route.

Parth had been seated next to his mother when the accident occurred. "He has been in a state of shock since the incident," said Nilesh Soni, Parth's uncle. Parth had travelled with his parents to Uttarakhand for Char Dham yatra, while his sisters Tejaswini, 17, and Manaswini, 15, stayed back in Rajgarh.

The bodies of Vishal and Gauri were handed over to the family on Friday, and are expected to reach Rajgarh by Saturday, after which the final rites will be performed.