Uttarakhand Bus Crash Claims 20 Lives; Investigation Ordered

In Almora, Uttarakhand, a tragic bus accident occurred when a bus traveling from Pauri to Ramnagar plunged into a 200-meter deep gorge near Kupi in Salt Merchula on Monday. The Kumaon Commissioner confirmed that at least 20 people lost their lives, with about 45 passengers reportedly on board at the time of the accident. The Almora and Haldwani police, along with teams from the administration and health department, were promptly dispatched to the scene to assist with rescue operations.

District Magistrate Alok Kumar Pandey reported that the bus was en route from Garhwal to Kumaon when it veered off the road and fell into the ditch near Marchula. Initial reports indicated that seven passengers had died, but officials anticipated a rise in casualties due to the severity of the accident. Pandey noted that police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel had reached the site swiftly and begun search and rescue efforts to save the remaining passengers. The bus, registered as UK 12 PA 0061, was a 42-seater vehicle transporting people from the Golikhal area.

www.mavericknews30.com, In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow and conveyed his condolences via social media, stating, “The unfortunate news of passenger casualties in a bus accident at Marchula in Almora district is heartbreaking.” He instructed local authorities to expedite rescue operations and ensure injured passengers were transported quickly to the nearest health centers for medical attention. Dhami also directed officials to arrange airlifting for those with critical injuries if required.

Rescue operations at the site have been intense, involving not only police and SDRF but also local villagers and residents who actively assisted in evacuating victims. As the efforts continued, 20 bodies had been recovered from the wreckage. Additional support arrived with a team from Nainital and officers from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local administrative units such as SSP, Thana Salt, Fire Station Ranikhet, and other officials.

In a phone conversation, Chief Minister Dhami spoke to the Secretary of Disaster Management, the Kumaon Commissioner, and the Almora District Magistrate, urging them to ensure rapid progress in the relief efforts. He also instructed the immediate suspension of the Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) of Almora and Pauri in response to potential regulatory lapses related to the accident.

The Chief Minister announced a compensation package for the victims, with Rs. 4 lakh allocated to the families of the deceased and Rs. 1 lakh for those injured. He further directed Kumaon Divisional Commissioner Deepak Rawat to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the incident to understand the causes and accountability behind the crash.