36 killed and 27 injured as bus falls into gorge in Almora in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: A devastating bus accident in Uttarakhand’s Almora district has claimed the lives of 36 people while seriously injuring 27 others. The tragedy took place near Koopi village in Marchula area of ​​Sult tehsil.

According to a senior official, the private bus, which was traveling from Likhwal to Ramnagar, was grossly overcrowded with 63 passengers, far exceeding its capacity. The accident injured 25 others, six of whom are currently admitted to AIIMS Rishikesh, where five are in critical condition.

Commander Arpan Yaduvanshi of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) said The new Indian Express“We received information about the accident at 8.45 am on Monday. Four SDRF teams were immediately sent to the site. Our personnel rescued the dead and injured by breaking the glass windows and cutting the iron plates of the ill-fated bus.”

Almora District Disaster Management Officer Vineet Pal told this daily: “Upon receiving news of the bus accident, rescue services swung into action and quickly alerted key teams. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, revenue department and sub-divisional officer are currently on the ground and working together to provide relief and support to those affected.”

District Magistrate Alok Kumar Pandey revealed, “The 43-seater bus, operated by Garhwal Motor Owners Association, left Pauri in Garhwal region on Sunday evening and headed for Ramnagar in Kumaon, about 250 kilometers away.”

Talking about the accident on Monday morning, Pandey said, “The bus was just 35 kilometers away from its destination, Ramnagar, when it plunged 200 meters into a gorge in Marchula area of ​​Almora.”

Deputy SP Pauri, Anuj Kumar, said, “Rescue operations are underway at the accident site and the injured have been referred to Ramnagar Hospital for further treatment.”