The death toll in the bus accident in Uttarakhand’s Almora district is increasing. According to reports 36 people are dead. The accident, officials said, took place around 8.25 am.
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 district in Uttarakhand. It met with the accident about 35 km from the destination Rampur. Rescue operations were carried out at a war footing by the Police and the State Disaster Response Force.
The accident was so grave that many of the passengers died at the spot. Over nine succumbed to injuries after they were rushed to hospital. Three passengers have been airlifted and are being taken to AIIMS.
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 bus belonged to Garhwal Motor Owners’ Union and a probe is on to identify the circumstances that led to the tragedy. The Chief Minister has directed the suspension of RTO officials in the area.
The state government has announced a compensation of ₹ 4 lakh each for the families of those killed in the accident, and an assistance of ₹ 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 ₹ 50,000 for the injured.
