36 Dead as Bus Plunges Into Gorge in Uttarakhand’s Almora District

The death toll from the bus accident in Almora district, Uttarakhand, has risen to 36. District officials reported that a 45-seater passenger bus plunged into a 200-meter-deep gorge in Marchula this morning while traveling from Pauri in Garhwal to Ramnagar in Kumaon, covering an overnight distance of approximately 250 km. The accident occurred about 35 km away from the destination, Rampur. Police and the State Disaster Response Force have initiated rescue operations at the site.

The accident, officials said, took place around 8.25 am. Residents of the nearby villages were the first responders and started rescuing passengers. While several passengers died at the spot, at least nine succumbed to injuries after they were rushed to hospital. Three passengers have been airlifted and are being taken to AIIMS. The bus belonged to Garhwal Motor Owners’ Union and a probe is on to identify the circumstances that led to the tragedy. Officials from Almora and Ramnagar are on the spot.

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Chief Minister Directs Swift Rescue Operations and Announces Compensation for Bus Accident Victims

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 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,” the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister has ordered the suspension of RTO officials in the region and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the accident, along with Rs 1 lakh for the injured. Additionally, a magisterial inquiry has been initiated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families affected by the accident and stated that the state government is overseeing relief efforts in the area. He also declared a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

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