Almora, Uttarakhand, 04 November 2024—At least 20 people died when a bus carrying passengers from Garhwal to Kumaon plunged into a 200-meter-deep gorge in Uttarakhand’s Almora district on Monday. Among the deceased were several children, officials reported.
The bus, reportedly overloaded, veered off the road near Marchula, with eyewitnesses suggesting the driver may have lost control just before the vehicle tumbled into the ravine. With an estimated 40 people on board, authorities fear the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.
Emergency teams, including the Uttarakhand Police and State Disaster Response Force, promptly reached the scene, launching a coordinated search and rescue mission. “Our teams are doing everything possible to rescue survivors and transport the injured to nearby hospitals,” a police official on the scene stated.
Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami expressed sorrow over the tragic incident and shared updates on social media. “Heartbreaking news has come in about the fatalities in this accident in Almora district. I’ve directed the district administration to expedite relief and rescue operations,” CM Dhami said.
Efforts remain focused on evacuating survivors, and rescuers are battling challenging terrain to reach those trapped and injured.
