The death toll from the bus accident in Almora, Uttarakhand, has risen to 36. The accident happened on Monday morning when a 40-seater bus, carrying 55 passengers, lost control and fell into a ravine near Marchula.
Initially, 22 people were reported dead, but more victims have since been found. Residents helped rescue the injured and recover the bodies. Almora District Disaster Management Officer Vineet Pal confirmed the updated death toll.
Nineteen passengers were seriously injured in the crash. The bus was traveling to Ramnagar when it fell into a gorge near Sultan. Four of the injured have been airlifted to hospitals, with three taken to AIIMS Rishikesh. Rescue operations by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are still ongoing.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed officials to speed up rescue and treatment efforts. Both SDRF and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are working at the accident site.
In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Dhami has ordered the suspension of the Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTO) from Pauri and Almora. He also announced that families of the deceased will receive ₹4 lakh and injured passengers will get ₹1 lakh for their treatment.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, saying, “My thoughts are with those who lost their lives in the Almora accident. I wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
