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Mon Nov 04 09:24:32 UTC 2024: ## Uttarakhand Bus Plunges Into Gorge, Killing 20
**Almora, Uttarakhand:** A horrific bus accident occurred on Monday morning in Almora, Uttarakhand, claiming the lives of 20 people. The bus, carrying 40 passengers returning home after Diwali, plunged 200 meters into a deep gorge near Marchula.
The bus, traveling from Garhwal to Kumaon, fell into the gorge while negotiating a sharp bend. District Magistrate Alok Kumar Pandey confirmed the death toll, which is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.
The incident took place near the Git Jagir River. According to reports, some passengers were seen trying to escape the bus after the accident. The severity of the accident caused panic and confusion, with passengers falling and being thrown out of the bus.
Rescue teams, including police and SDRF personnel, have reached the site and are conducting search and rescue operations. Injured passengers are being transported to nearby hospitals.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences over the loss of life and has instructed the district administration to expedite rescue and relief operations. He has also announced compensation of ₹4 lakhs to the families of each deceased and ₹1 lakh to each injured person.
The CM stated that the local administration and SDRF teams are working tirelessly to rescue the injured and transport them to nearby hospitals. He has also directed authorities to airlift critically injured passengers if required.