Rescue and relief work underway after a passenger bus fell into a gorge in Kupi area, in Almora, Uttarakhand.
Credit: PTI Photo
Lucknow: Thirty-six passengers were killed and 10 others injured when a private bus carrying them fell into a ditch in Almora district in Uttarakhand on Monday.
The number of deaths could increase as some of the injured were stated to be critical. The ill-fated bus was on the way to Ramnagar from Nainidanda when the mishap happened.
The injured were shifted to hospitals in Haldwani and elsewhere . Officials said that seriously injured people would be airlifted to AIIMS in Rishikesh. A team of doctors was rushed to treat the injured.
According to sources, the mishap happened when the bus, which belonged to Garhwal Motor Union, hurtled down the slope while the driver was taking a sharp turn near Sarad bend in Marchuli.
The bus hit a tree and came to a halt barely 10 feet away from a river, sources said. Many passengers were thrown out of the bus after it hit the tree.
Monday, being the first working day after Diwali holidays, the bus was overcrowded. Sources said that there were around 55 passengers in the 42-seater bus.
Eye witnesses said that many passengers died on the spot, while some succumbed to their injuries later. Bodies were scattered on the accident site, they said.
Locals were the first to reach the spot and launch rescue operations.
Sources said that the bus was very old and was not fit for the hilly terrain. Two senior transport department officials were suspended on charges of laxity.
Vineet Pal, disaster management officer, Almora, confirmed death of 36 passengers in the tragedy. He said that SDRF teams had reached the spot and that rescue operations were in full swing.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who was in Delhi, cut short his visit and rushed to Dehradun. He also spoke to the senior officials and directed to provide the best treatment to the injured.
The state government has announced an ex gratia relief of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured.
A magisterial probe was also ordered into the incident.