NEW DELHI: At least 36 individuals have lost their lives after a bus, carrying between 35 to 40 passengers, plunged into a steep gorge near Marchula in Almora district, Uttarakhand, on Monday morning.
The bus was en route from Garhwal to Kumaon when it veered off the road and fell 200 meters down the hilly terrain near Marchula.
According to police reports, 36 people died when the bus fell into the gorge.
Police spokesperson IG Nilesh Anand Bharne stated that over 45 passengers were on board at the time of the incident.
The bus was traveling from the Golikhal area to Ramnagar when the accident occurred. Following the incident, relief and rescue operations commenced immediately, and an investigation has been ordered, officials stated.
Teams from the police, fire services, and SDRF are actively working to evacuate the injured and transport them to the nearest medical facilities.
The Commissioner and DIG of Kumaon have headed to the site to coordinate rescue efforts, while the Superintendent of Police for Almora is present at the scene.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has spoken with the Secretary of Disaster Management, the Commissioner of Kumaon Division, and the District Magistrate of Almora regarding the accident. He has urged for the swift execution of rescue and relief operations.
“We have received very sad news about the loss of life among the passengers in this tragic bus accident in Marchula, Almora district. The district administration has been instructed to expedite relief and rescue efforts,” Dhami shared on X.
(Inputs from ANI and Indian news agencies)
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