ALMORA, Nov 4: A tragic bus accident in Uttarakhand’s Almora district claimed the lives of at least 36 passengers, including several children, when the bus they were traveling in fell into a 200-meter-deep gorge on Monday. The bus was reportedly overloaded and was transporting passengers from Garhwal to Kumaon at the time of the incident.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus lost control while approaching Kupail Village, leading to fears that the number of casualties could rise. Emergency response teams, including the Uttarakhand police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), were quickly mobilized for search and rescue efforts.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is actively monitoring the situation and expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life. In a statement on social media, he highlighted the urgency of relief efforts and directed the district administration to accelerate rescue operations. He also announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and Rs 1 lakh for each injured passenger.
Local authorities, along with SDRF teams, are working to navigate the challenging terrain to provide assistance to the victims’ families. This incident raises ongoing concerns regarding road safety and vehicle regulation in Uttarakhand’s hilly regions.
