Tragedy Strikes as Overcrowded Bus Plunges into Gorge in Northern India
A tragic incident occurred in Almora district, Uttarakhand, as a poorly maintained and overcrowded bus veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge, resulting in the loss of at least 36 lives and leaving several others injured.
The bus, carrying around 60 passengers, met with the fatal accident in the mountainous terrain of Uttarakhand. The state government official, Deepak Rawat, confirmed that more than 20 individuals sustained injuries in the crash.
Initially believed to have accommodated 42 passengers, the bus was found to be overloaded at the time of the accident, exacerbating the severity of the tragedy. Rescue and relief teams were promptly dispatched to the site, with concerns raised that the death toll may escalate as seven of the injured passengers were reported to be in critical condition.
Television footage captured the devastating aftermath of the accident, with the bus mangled and overturned on a rocky slope near a stream. Rescue operations were underway, with rescuers working tirelessly to extricate passengers and transport bodies on stretchers.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured swift evacuation of the injured to nearby hospitals, with instructions in place for airlifting those in critical condition. An investigation has been initiated by the state government to ascertain the cause of the accident, with preliminary findings pointing towards the dilapidated condition of the bus leading to the fatal plunge.
Reports indicated that the bus skidded before hurtling down a 200-foot-deep gorge, prompting some passengers to escape or be thrown out during the impact, subsequently alerting authorities about the tragedy. Two transport officials faced suspension for approving the operation of a bus in such poor condition.
India grapples with one of the highest road death rates globally, attributed to factors like reckless driving, inadequate road maintenance, and aging vehicles. The country witnesses numerous fatal accidents annually, with the recent incident adding to the somber statistics.
In previous instances, such as the collision between a double-decker passenger bus and a milk truck in Uttar Pradesh resulting in 18 fatalities, and the bus mishap in Indian-controlled Kashmir claiming 21 lives, highlight the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and stringent enforcement of regulations in the transportation sector.
