A bus carrying over 30 people in Almora, Uttarakhand, fell into a gorge and killed at least 36 passengers, leaving 19 injured. The incident happened on Monday while the bus traveled from Nainidanda, Pauri district, to Ramnagar in Nainital.
Rescue operations are currently underway at the site of the accident in the Salt area of Marchula, involving emergency responders like police, teams from NDRF, and SDRF. Almora Superintendent of Police Devendra Pincha said the number of dead may increase as the rescue operation proceeds.
Authorities received news of the accident at around 9 am following calls from some passengers who had escaped from the bus while the incident occurred.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 to those injured out of the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami also announced Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the dead and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured. He ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and directed the suspension of the Assistant Regional Transport Officer Enforcement in the area.
“Very sad news has been received about the casualties of passengers due to the unfortunate bus accident that occurred in Marchula,” the Chief Minister said on X while appealing for immediate relief and rescue. He confirmed that the local administration and SDRF teams are making hard efforts to evacuate the injured to nearby health facilities, and airlifting will be arranged for seriously injured people if required.
President Draupadi Murmu, too, condoled the loss of lives, including women and children, as heart-wrenching. The President conveyed her sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the injured’s early recovery.
