Almora, Uttarakhand – A passenger bus carrying 19 people plunged into a deep gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora district on Tuesday morning, killing seven passengers and injuring 12 others. The tragic accident occurred near Sailapani, close to Vinayak, in the Bhikiyasain area as the bus traveled from Dwarahat to Ramnagar.
Rescue Efforts Face Challenging Terrain
The bus veered off the Bhikiyasain-Vinayak motor road and fell into the ravine, triggering a large-scale rescue operation. Teams from the police, district administration, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) swiftly arrived at the scene to begin rescue and relief efforts. Local residents also joined the rescue operations, assisting officials in navigating the difficult mountainous terrain. Initial reports indicated five bodies were recovered from the accident site, with another passenger confirmed dead later, bringing the immediate toll to six. One more person succumbed to injuries while being transported to the hospital, raising the total number of fatalities to seven.[timesofindia+13]
Almora Senior Superintendent of Police Devendra Pincha confirmed the fatalities and the dispatch of rescue teams to the accident site. Tehsildar Abid Ali provided early details, stating the bus was en route from Dwarahat to Ramnagar when it lost control. The bus had reportedly departed from Dwarahat around 6 a.m.[deccanherald+3]
Victims and Medical Response
Among the seven deceased were three women and an elderly couple. The 12 injured passengers received immediate first aid at the scene. They were then transported to nearby health centers and the Government Hospital in Bhikiyasain for treatment. Passengers with serious injuries were referred to higher medical facilities for advanced care. The driver and conductor of the bus were reported to be safe and in stable condition following the accident.[deccanherald+9]
A survivor, Rakesh Kumar alias Rakesh Dhasmana, a teacher traveling from Dwarahat to Dehradun, recounted his ordeal. He said he realized something was wrong when the bus started sliding down the slope. "I grabbed the iron pipe tightly, which saved my life," Dhasmana stated, adding that he sustained serious injuries and lost consciousness as the bus continued to roll down the gorge. Another injured passenger, Nandi Devi, the village head of Naubada, was on her way to attend a meeting of village heads in Bhekiyasain.[thenewsminute+1]
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. Preliminary assessments suggest factors such as poor road conditions and a possible loss of control by the driver contributed to the mishap. Some passengers, according to a relative of an injured victim, claimed a steering malfunction or brake failure might have occurred before the bus went out of control. The district administration has ordered a probe into the incident. The accident site is located approximately 100 kilometers from the district headquarters, posing additional logistical challenges for relief operations.[timesofindia+7]
Official Condolences and Support
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep grief over the tragic bus accident. He extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured. Chief Minister Dhami directed the district administration to ensure prompt and adequate medical treatment for all injured passengers. He stated that he is continuously monitoring the entire matter and remains in constant contact with local administrative authorities.[timesofindia+6]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences, expressing sadness over the loss of lives. "The loss of lives due to a bus mishap in the Almora district of Uttarakhand is extremely saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest," Modi said.[livemint]
This incident marks the second major bus tragedy in the Sult area within the last 14 months. In November 2023, a devastating bus crash near Kupi village in the Sult tehsil claimed the lives of 36 people. The administration has initiated an immediate inquiry into the current accident, with the official investigation report expected to clarify the precise cause of the tragedy.[deccanherald+2]
