36 killed after bus falls into gorge in India’s Uttarakhand

More than 36 people have been killed, at least five remain missing, and 10 were injured after a bus carrying 35-40 passengers plunged into a deep gorge near Marchula at Almora district in Uttarkhand, India, on Monday morning.

Almora’s disaster management officer, Vineet Pal, said, “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.”

Officials fear the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue.

The bus, en route from Naini Danda in Pauri Garhwal district to Ramnagar in Nainital district, reportedly lost control around 7am near Sarad Bend and plunged into a gorge along the Geet Jagir riverbank, an official said.

Emergency responders, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and medical teams, immediately reached the scene, officials said. Almora SSP and disaster management officials are overseeing the ongoing rescue efforts.

The chief minister's office confirmed that a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also joined the search and rescue operation.

According to initial reports from survivors, when the 42-seater bus fell, passengers were ejected due to the impact, while others managed to escape on their own. Those who climbed to safety alerted authorities.

Authorities are investigating whether the accident was caused by a mechanical failure or other factors. The bus is owned by Garhwal Motor Owners Union Ltd (GMOU).

Meanwhile, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke with the secretary of disaster management department, the commissioner of Kumaon division, and the district magistrate (DM) Almora over the phone to gather information on the bus accident and directed them to accelerate rescue and relief operations. 

Source: The Times of India