According to Uttarakhand bus accident news, a passenger bus traveling in Uttarakhand’s Almora district fell into a deep gorge leading to the loss of at least 36 lives and injuring 27 others.
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The accident took place in Almora district near Marchula, on a route from Pauri in Garhwal to Ramnagar in Kumaon.
The bus fell into a 200-meter-deep gorge approximately 35 kilometers from its final destination, Ramnagar. The accident occurred around 8:25 am in a mountainous area.
The bus was carrying about 60 passengers, though it was a 43-seater. The vehicle was privately operated by the Garhwal Motor Owners’ Union and according to preliminary reports, was poorly maintained.
According to Uttarakhand bus accident news, District authorities suggest that overloading with the vehicle’s dilapidated condition might have contributed to the accident.
Nearby villagers were the first responders, assisting in the initial stages of rescue and recovery. Many passengers were either trapped or thrown from the bus, with villagers working to provide first aid and transport the injured to hospitals before authorities arrived.
The State Disaster Response Force and local police were mobilized to the accident site. Visuals from the scene showed the wreckage scattered across a rocky slope, close to a stream, where rescuers worked to extract passengers from the mangled remains.
According to Uttarakhand bus accident news, Helicopters were deployed to airlift critically injured victims to major medical facilities including AIIMS Rishikesh and Sushila Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani.
The death toll currently stands at 36 with 24 others injured. Of those injured, seven are in critical condition, with four needing medical evacuation.
According to Uttarakhand bus accident news, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for those injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who died and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Two regional transport officers in Pauri and Almora districts were suspended as the investigation pointed towards negligence regarding vehicle condition.
Transport officials are under scrutiny for allegedly allowing an unfit bus to operate on this mountainous route.
Initial findings suggest that the vehicle, in poor condition might have lost control due to overloading and skidded off the road, plunging into the gorge.
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According to Uttarakhand bus accident news, the Uttarakhand state government announced an immediate inquiry to understand its cause. Chief Minister Dhami ordered a magisterial investigation and addressed that all factors including potential overloading must be thoroughly examined.
As part of this directive, the Commissioner of the Kumaon division has been tasked with leading the investigation to determine negligence or lapses in vehicle and road safety standards.
Reports indicate that the bus carried over 40 passengers. Witnesses shared that the bus was overcrowded.
In Uttarakhand road accidents are frequent, with about 160,000 deaths reported annually in the country due to factors like overloading, speeding and negligence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced a relief fund, providing 200,000 rupees to the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees to the injured.
Chief Minister Dhami extended further aid, pledging 400,000 rupees for the families of the deceased and 100,000 rupees for those injured to assist with medical costs and other immediate needs.
The government has initiated actions against responsible officials, with suspension orders issued for the assistant regional transport officer for suspected negligence.
According to Uttarakhand bus accident news, President Draupadi Murmu shared her grief, expressing condolences to the families affected by the accident.
In a statement on X, President Murmu called the loss of lives particularly those of children and women, heart-rending and wished for the recovery of the injured.
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