India: At least 5 dead after bus falls into gorge in Uttarakhand

Many people including children are feared dead or injured after a bus fell into a gorge near Kupi in Ramnagar at Pauri-Almora border of Uttarakhand on Monday morning.

The police said that search and rescue operations are underway. The bus was on its way from Garhwal to Kumaon when the accident took place.

Almora SSP Devendra Pincha said that the locals have found the dead bodies of five people so far. However, authorities fear a higher death toll considering the nature of the accident.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami gave instructions to speed up the rescue and relief work. Along with SDRF, the NDRF team has also reached the spot.

"Very sad news has been received about the casualties of passengers in the unfortunate bus accident that took place in Marchula of Almora district. The district administration has been instructed to carry out relief and rescue operations swiftly," Dhami posted on X.

"The local administration and SDRF teams at the accident site are working rapidly to evacuate the injured and take them to the nearest health centre for treatment. Instructions have also been given to airlift seriously injured passengers if required," he added.

The Chief Minister also directed assistance of Rs400,000 each to the families of the deceased and Rs100,000 each to the injured.