Uttarakhand Bus Accident: 20 people have died after the bus fell into a gorge
The death count in the bus accident in Uttarakhand's Almora district has climbed to 36. According to district authorities, the 45-seater passenger bus fell into a 200-metre-deep gorge at Marchula this morning while travelling from Pauri in Garhwal to Ramnagar in Kumaon -- an overnight journey of about 250 km. It met with the accident about 35 km from the destination Rampur. Police and the State Disaster Response Force have launched a rescue operation at the accident site.
The accident, officials said, took place around 8.25 am. Residents of the nearby villages were the first responders and started rescuing passengers. While several passengers died at the spot, at least nine succumbed to injuries after they were rushed to hospital. Three passengers have been airlifted and are being taken to AIIMS. The bus belonged to Garhwal Motor Owners' Union and a probe is on to identify the circumstances that led to the tragedy. Officials from Almora and Ramnagar are on the spot.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said the district administration has been asked to speed up the rescue operation. "Received very sad news of casualties of passengers in the unfortunate bus accident that took place in Marchula of Almora district. The district administration has been instructed to conduct relief and rescue operations swiftly," he said on X.
"The local administration and SDRF teams are working swiftly to evacuate the injured and take them to the nearest health centre for treatment. Instructions have also been given to airlift the seriously injured passengers if required," the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister has directed the suspension of RTO officials in the area. He has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of those killed in the accident, and an assistance of Rs 1 lakh for those injured. A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the families of those killed in the accident and said the state government is supervising relief work in the area. He announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the dead and assistance of Rs 50,000 for the injured.