At least seven people were killed, 20 feared dead and many injured on Monday when a bus carrying 40 passengers fell into a 200 meter deep gorge in Uttarakhand’s Almora district.
The bus was traveling from Garhwal to Kumaon when it crashed at Marchula, according to District Magistrate Alok Kumar Pandey.
“The casualties may go up as there were around 40 passengers in the bus when it fell into a 200-meter deep gorge,” said Pandey
Police and SDRF personnel have reached the spot to launch a search and rescue operation, he added.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the situation and has issued directives for rapid rescue and medical assistance. “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,” CM Dhami posted 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” he added.
Compensation to the Deceased and Injured
Responding to the incident, CM Dharni has said that the suspension of the ARTO enforcement in the areas of Pauri and Almors. He further announced that the families of the deceased will receive financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each, and those injured will receive Rs.1 Lakh.
