Overcrowded bus plunges into gorge, 36 killed in India

Overcrowded bus plunges into gorge, 36 killed in India

A fatal auto crash has claimed the lives of 36 persons in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand.

The mishap, which also left many others injured, happened after a bus fell into a 50-meter-deep gorge.

According to local authorities, the accident occurred in Marchula, a hilly enclave in the Almora district after the driver lost control of the vehicle, which was carrying 44 passengers.

Uttarakhand’s state government has launched an inquiry into the accident.

Buses serve as the primary mode of transport in the mountainous state, where road accidents are the order of the day due to rocky terrain and crowded roads.

The bus was on its way to the Ramnagar district when it veered off the road on Monday morning.

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Photos and videos from the scene showed the mangled bus overturned at the bottom of a hill. Several passengers were reported dead on the spot, while survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals.

Rescue operations are ongoing as local residents and officials work together to retrieve survivors.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the families of the victims, announcing financial aid of 200,000 rupees (about $2,378 or £1,834) for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees for those injured.

Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also promised support for the victims and their families.

With approximately 160,000 fatalities annually, India leads the world in road accident deaths, a situation attributed to factors like speeding, overcrowding, and inadequate safety standards—problems that are especially prevalent in rural and mountainous regions

 

Overcrowded bus plunges into gorge, 36 killed in India