A devastating bus accident in Almora district of Uttarakhand has resulted in the deaths of 36 individuals. The incident occurred early on Saturday morning when a 45-seater passenger bus plunged into a 200-meter-deep gorge near Marchula while traveling from Pauri in Garhwal to Ramnagar in Kumaon, covering an overnight distance of approximately 250 kilometers. The bus was about 35 kilometers from its destination in Rampur when the tragedy struck.
According to district authorities, the accident happened around 8:25 AM. Local residents were the first responders, quickly rushing to assist passengers. Despite their efforts, several victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while at least nine more succumbed to their injuries after being transported to nearby hospitals. Three critically injured passengers have been airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for urgent medical attention.
The bus was operated by the Garhwal Motor Owners’ Union, and officials have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Both police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are actively engaged in rescue operations at the site, with additional support from local authorities.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his sorrow over the tragic event and has instructed the district administration to expedite rescue efforts. “I received very sad news of casualties among passengers in the unfortunate bus accident that took place in Marchula,” he stated on X (formerly Twitter). He confirmed that the local administration and SDRF teams are diligently working to evacuate the injured and transport them to the nearest healthcare facilities. Furthermore, he directed that the seriously injured be airlifted if necessary.
In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Dhami has announced compensation of ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for those injured. He has also ordered the suspension of Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials in the area and initiated a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his condolences to the bereaved families, stating that the state government is supervising relief operations. He announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and ₹50,000 for the injured.
The local community is mourning the loss, and the government is working to provide necessary support to the victims’ families during this difficult time. Rescue operations continue as officials strive to manage the aftermath of this tragic accident.
Sources By Agencies
