Dehradun: A privately operated bus fell into a deep gorge in Almora district on Monday, killing at least 23 of the about 40 people on board and injuring 15.
While 22 people died on the spot, one succumbed to injuries while being taken to a hospital in Ramnagar, Almora’s District Disaster Management Officer Vineet Pal told PTI.
The bus, operated by the Garhwal Motor Owner Association, was on its way from Pauri in Garhwal region to Ramnagar in Kumaon about 250 km away when the accident took place around 8 am. It’s an overnight journey.
So far seven deaths have been reported but the numbers may rise as there were at least 40 passengers in the bus at the time of the accident.
Police and SDRF personnel have reached the spot to launch a search and rescue operation.
“Received very sad news of casualties of passengers in the unfortunate bus accident that took place in Marchula of Almora district. The district administration has been instructed to conduct relief and rescue operations swiftly,” he said on X.
“The local administration and SDRF teams are working swiftly to evacuate the injured and take them to the nearest health centre for treatment. Instructions have also been given to airlift the seriously injured passengers, if required,” he said.
