Almora (Uttarakhand) [India], November 4 (HBTV): In a tragic incident, 36 people, including 10 women, lost their lives after a bus carrying 50 passengers fell into a deep gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora district.

Officials reported that 27 people were injured in the accident, which occurred around 8:45 a.m. on Monday morning near Marchula, Uttarakhand. Those with serious injuries were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh and Sushila Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani for advanced medical treatment.

Dr. Madhur from AIIMS Rishikesh stated, "We received a call from authorities about the incoming patients. I, along with other doctors, went to Ramnagar Hospital to evaluate and evacuate the severely injured patients here."

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the Ram Dutt Joshi Government Combined Hospital in Ramnagar to check on the injured. He was accompanied by BJP MP Anil Baluni. CM Dhami assured that “strict action will be taken against those responsible” and ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, canceling all his scheduled programs.

Following the incident, Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar informed ANI that Assistant Regional Transport Officers from Pauri and Almora have been suspended. "Rescue and relief operations are ongoing, with all personnel engaged in the efforts. This is a very serious incident," he added. DGP Kumar also announced a meeting with all SPs for further discussions.

District Magistrate Dehradun Savin Bansal assigned the Sub-District Magistrate to oversee care for the injured and support their families. DM Bansal also designated the Sub-District Magistrate of Rishikesh as the liaison officer for coordination with the victims' families and directed the Additional District Magistrate of Administration to maintain regular contact with AIIMS Rishikesh for updates.

Uttarakhand Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat expressed condolences and committed to preventive measures to avert similar accidents in the future. He announced that the state government would provide INR 1 lakh to the injured and INR 4 lakh in ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of each deceased. Of the injured, three have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh and are reported to be in stable condition.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives. Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of INR 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the families of each deceased victim and INR 50,000 for the injured.   

(ANI)