At least 36 people have lost their lives and several others were injured after a bus plunged into a 50-meter-deep gorge in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India.
The tragic accident occurred in the hilly region of Marchula, Almora district, where the driver reportedly lost control of the bus, which was carrying 44 passengers. The bus was en route to the Ramnagar district when it veered off the road on Monday morning.
The Uttarakhand state government has launched an inquiry into the incident. In this mountainous state, buses are a vital mode of transport, but road accidents are frequent due to the challenging terrain and overcrowded roads.
Images from the scene showed the wreckage of the overturned bus at the bottom of a hill. Many passengers were killed on the spot, while survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with local residents and officials working together to save lives.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, offering financial aid of 200,000 rupees (approximately $2,378 or £1,834) to the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees for the injured.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also pledged support to the victims and their families.
India leads the world in road fatalities, with around 160,000 deaths annually. Factors such as speeding, overcrowding, and poor safety standards are often blamed for the high number of accidents, particularly in rural and mountainous areas.
