36 dead as bus plunges into gorge on Uttarakhand's Pauri-Almora border

In India's Uttarakhand, early Monday (Nov 4) a tragic bus accident on the Pauri-Almora border left 36 dead, including children, as the vehicle tumbled into a steep gorge.

The accident took place near Kupi in Uttarakhand's Ramnagar region. The bus, reportedly travelling from Garhwal to Kumaon, fell into a gorge in the remote, mountainous area where rescue operations are underway amidst difficult terrain.

Almora's disaster management officer Vineet Pal told PTI,"At least 20 fatalities have been confirmed, with several others injured who have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Local villagers are assisting rescue workers in locating passengers still trapped in the wreckage."

SSP Devendra Pincha confirmed that five bodies have been found so far, with the death toll likely to rise given the extent of the crash.

State resources mobilised

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, as per ANI, has mobilised state resources and directed the Secretary of Disaster Management, the Commissioner of Kumaon Division, and the District Magistrate of Almora to expedite relief and rescue efforts.

With the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on site, rescue teams are working quickly to evacuate survivors and provide medical aid.

"Very sad news has been received about the casualties of passengers in the unfortunate bus accident that took place in Marchula of the Almora district. The district administration has been instructed to carry out relief and rescue operations swiftly," Dhami posted on X.

जनपद अल्मोड़ा के मार्चुला में हुई दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण बस दुर्घटना में यात्रियों के हताहत होने का अत्यंत दुःखद समाचार प्राप्त हुआ। जिला प्रशासन को तेजी के साथ राहत एवं बचाव अभियान चलाने के निर्देश दिए हैं।

घटनास्थल पर स्थानीय प्रशासन एवं SDRF की टीमें घायलों को निकालकर उपचार के लिए… — Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 4, 2024

"The local administration and SDRF teams at the accident site are working rapidly to evacuate the injured and take them to the nearest health centre for treatment. Instructions have also been given to airlift seriously injured passengers if required," he added.

जनपद अल्मोड़ा के मार्चुला में हुई बस दुर्घटना में अपनी जान गंवाने वाले यात्रियों के परिजनों के प्रति हमारी गहरी संवेदनाएं हैं। मृतकों के परिजनों को ₹4 लाख और घायलों को ₹1 लाख की सहायता राशि प्रदान की जाएगी। आयुक्त कुमाऊं मंडल को घटना की जांच के लिए निर्देश दिए हैं। pic.twitter.com/F9J25bXBdV — Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 4, 2024

To facilitate swift response, CM Dhami instructed officials to arrange for airlifting critically injured passengers if necessary. The CM has also suspended ARTO enforcement officers for the affected areas in Pauri and Almora and has announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident to examine safety failures.

He has pledged Rs 4 lakhs in compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for each injured individual, offering financial support as they navigate the aftermath of this tragedy.

(With inputs from agencies)