In a major tragedy, at least 20 passengers lost their lives when the bus they were travelling in, careened off the road and fell into a 200-metre-deep gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora district on Monday. Among the victims were several children, heightening the tragedy of the incident.
The ill-fated bus, transporting passengers from Garhwal to Kumaon, was reportedly overloaded at the time of the accident on Monday morning.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the vehicle lost control before plummeting into the gorge, leading to fears that the casualty count may rise further, as approximately 40 people were believed to be aboard the bus when the mishap took place.
The driver reportedly lost control of the overcrowded bus as it approached Kupail Village, causing it to plunge into a deep gorge.
Emergency response teams in the region, including the Uttarakhand police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), were quickly mobilised to conduct search and rescue operations.
Rescuers are working tirelessly to evacuate survivors and transport the injured to nearby medical facilities.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been closely monitoring the situation, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life.
In a statement on social media, CM Dhami emphasised the urgency of the relief efforts: “The unfortunate news has come in regarding the casualties of passengers in a bus accident that occurred in Marchula, Almora district.
"The district administration has been directed to swiftly carry out relief and rescue operations.”
He also indicated that severely injured passengers would be airlifted as needed.
The local administration, alongside SDRF teams, is actively working to navigate the challenging terrain in their quest to provide aid and support to the victims’ families.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about road safety and vehicle regulation in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand.
HM Shah stresses on mapping of demographic data of people along India-Myanmar border
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the demographic data of people along the India-Myanmar border, especially in Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, should be mapped so that it can help in fencing of the border and infiltration can be stopped.
Drugs worth Rs 78 crore seized in Tripura, one held
In a major haul, the Assam Rifles in coordination with the other law enforcing agencies on Saturday seized 3.9 lakh methamphetamine tablets valued at around Rs 78 crore and arrested a drug peddler in Tripura, officials said on Saturday.
Manipur: Arms and ammunition recovered; two held with drugs
Manipur Police and other security forces recovered some arms and ammunition from different fringe and vulnerable areas and arrested two persons with drugs on Saturday, officials said.
New Maha Cabinet: Fadnavis keeps Home, Shinde gets Urban Development, Ajit Pawar in charge of Finance
Finally, the wait is over. Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Saturday approved the portfolio allocation to the ministers as recommended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The list was released after the conclusion of a weeklong winter session.
Explained: Key recommendations of 55th GST Council meet
From reducing GST rate on fortified rice kernel (FRK) to fully exempt GST on gene therapy, the 55th GST Council meeting, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Saturday made some key recommendations to provide relief to individuals and businesses.
India a natural trade and commerce partner of Kuwait: PM Modi
India has been a natural trading partner of Kuwait and continues to be so in contemporary times and people-to-people linkages over centuries have fostered a special bond of friendship between the two countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar brings peace through meditation to UN headquarters consumed by global turmoil
Eighteen minutes of tranquility descended on the world organisation’s headquarters consumed by global turmoil as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led a meditation session as a path to peace at the United Nations.
NE not just strategically important but also an epitome of nation's diversity, culture: Minister
Union Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar on Friday underscored the strategic importance of the northeastern region and said that the region is not just a geographically significant part of the country but it is also an epitome of the nation's diversity, culture, and strategic importance.