Mon Nov 04 09:45:17 UTC 2024: ## Uttarakhand Bus Accident Claims 36 Lives, Overloading Suspected

**Almora, Uttarakhand:** A horrific bus accident in Almora district of Uttarakhand on Monday morning has claimed the lives of 36 passengers, leaving 19 injured. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, with leaders expressing their grief and condolences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, and other dignitaries have offered their deepest sympathies to the families of the victims.

The bus, operated by the Garhwal Motor Owner Association, was traveling from Pauri in Garhwal to Ramnagar in Kumaon when it plunged into a 650-foot deep gorge near Marchula in Almora. The accident occurred around 8 am, just 35 kilometers before reaching Ramnagar. Preliminary investigations suggest that overloading may have been a contributing factor to the tragedy. While the bus had a capacity of 43 passengers, it was carrying 55 people. Reports indicate that the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a sharp bend, leading to the fatal plunge.

Graphic images from the scene depict the horrific nature of the accident. The bus, carrying passengers who had traveled overnight, rolled down a rocky slope for 200 meters before coming to a halt near a stream. Rescue workers were seen struggling to extract passengers from the mangled wreckage.

District Magistrate Alok Kumar Pandey confirmed that police and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) personnel reached the site immediately upon receiving information. Sadly, 36 of the rescued passengers succumbed to their injuries. 15 injured individuals are receiving treatment at Ramnagar Sub-District Hospital, while three critically injured passengers have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh. One injured person is admitted to the STH Hospital in Haldwani.

The Central and State governments have announced financial assistance for the victims’ families. The state government has offered a compensation of INR 4 lakh to the families of each deceased and INR 1 lakh to the injured. The Prime Minister’s Office has announced a relief package of INR 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and INR 50,000 to the injured from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

The authorities have suspended the ARTOs of Pauri and Ramnagar in the wake of this tragic accident. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

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