NE NEWS SERVICE
DEHRADUN, NOV 4
The death toll in the bus accident in Uttarakhand’s Almora district has climbed up to 36. According to district administration, the 45-seater passenger bus fell into a 200-metre-deep gorge at Marchula on Monday morning while travelling from Pauri in Garhwal to Ramnagar in Kumaon – an overnight journey of about 250 km. Police and the State Disaster Response Force have launched a rescue operation at the accident site on war-footing.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand: A Garwal Motors Users' bus fell into a gorge near Kupi in Ramnagar at Pauri-Almora border. Deaths and injuries feared. Search and rescue operation underway. Details awaited.
(Video: SDRF) pic.twitter.com/dzSgKw6tkF
— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2024
The accident, officials said, took place around 8.25 am. Residents of the nearby villages were the first responders and started rescuing passengers. While several passengers died at the spot, at least nine succumbed to injuries after they were rushed to hospital. Three passengers have been airlifted and are being taken to AIIMS. The bus belonged to Garhwal Motor Owners’ Union and a probe is on to identify the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
मुख्यमंत्री श्री पुष्कर सिंह धामी ने मार्चुला, अल्मोड़ा मे हुई बस दुर्घटना की मजिस्ट्रेट जांच हेतु
आयुक्त कुमाऊँ मंडल को निर्देश दिए। साथ ही मुख्यमंत्री ने पौड़ी और अल्मोड़ा के संबंधित क्षेत्र के एआरटीओ प्रवर्तन को निलंबित करने के निर्देश दिए।
मुख्यमंत्री ने बस दुर्घटना के मृतक… pic.twitter.com/okQ139sfDA— CM Office Uttarakhand (@ukcmo) November 4, 2024
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said the district administration has been asked to speed up the 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,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister has directed the suspension of RTO officials in the area. He has announced a compensation of ₹ 4 lakh each for the families of those killed in the accident, and an assistance of ₹ 1 lakh for those injured. The state government has also ordered a magisterial inquiry.
PM condoles, announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia from PMNRF
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in a severe road accident in Almora, Uttarakhand. In a statement shared on social media by @PMOIndia, the Prime Minister conveyed his sorrow for the affected families, along with his sincere wishes for the swift recovery of all those injured in the accident.
“I extend my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the unfortunate road accident in Almora, Uttarakhand. I am also praying for the speedy recovery of all the injured,” said the Prime Minister.
Narendra Modi has further has announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from Prime Ministers National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
