In a tragic accident on Monday, an overcrowded bus plunged into a steep gorge in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, resulting in the deaths of at least 36 people and leaving numerous others injured. The vehicle, which was reportedly operating in poor condition, skidded off the road in Almora district, officials said. The accident underscores the alarming state of road safety in India, particularly in hilly regions where fatal crashes are frequent.
The bus, which had a maximum capacity of 42 passengers, was reportedly carrying around 60 people at the time, according to Deepak Rawat, a senior state official. The overcrowded vehicle veered off a narrow mountain road and tumbled approximately 200 feet down into a deep gorge. The crash occurred as the bus was traveling from Garhwal to the tourist town of Ramnagar, a route known for its sharp turns and steep inclines. Many passengers were reportedly thrown from the vehicle on impact, allowing some to survive and alert authorities.
Local officials quickly launched a large-scale rescue operation with help from the Almora district's emergency services. Rescuers worked through treacherous terrain to extract survivors and recover the bodies of those killed, carrying them on stretchers up the steep slope to waiting ambulances. Footage released by the Uttarakhand Police showed the overturned bus lying near a river at the base of the hill, its frame mangled and strewn with debris.
At least 36 dead after overcrowded and dilapidated bus skids into a deep gorge in India https://t.co/M0Y3u7rkIv pic.twitter.com/MbmtmFEUW6 — New York Post (@nypost) November 4, 2024
Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, announced an immediate investigation into the cause of the accident and deployed resources to expedite rescue efforts. "Emergency crews are working swiftly to evacuate the injured and take them to the nearest health center for treatment," he stated on social media, adding that critically injured passengers could be airlifted if necessary. The state government has pledged compensation of 400,000 rupees ($4,750) for the families of the deceased and 100,000 rupees ($1,190) for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims' families and announced additional financial assistance. "My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," Modi said, offering 200,000 rupees ($2,378) for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees ($594) for those injured.
Initial reports indicate that the bus may not have been properly maintained. Preliminary findings suggest that the vehicle skidded on a sharp turn before careening down the gorge. Vineet Pal, another state official, stated that two transport officials have been suspended for certifying the bus despite its reported poor condition. Authorities are looking into whether the vehicle's brakes or tires might have failed. The investigation will also examine the potential role of reckless driving and overloading.
The region where the crash occurred is no stranger to fatal road accidents. Mountain roads in Uttarakhand are often narrow and poorly maintained, with minimal barriers to prevent vehicles from falling into deep ravines. Overcrowding is also common, especially on public transport options like buses, which are often the only affordable means of travel for residents in these rural areas. According to India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the country records about 160,000 road deaths each year-the highest toll globally-primarily due to factors such as vehicle overloading, reckless driving, and inadequate road infrastructure.
This accident adds to a series of recent deadly crashes in India. In July, 18 people were killed when a double-decker bus collided with a milk truck in Uttar Pradesh, and in May, a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims rolled into a gorge in Indian-controlled Kashmir, resulting in 21 fatalities. These incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of vehicle safety regulations and better maintenance of roads, particularly in mountainous regions.
