Major accident in Uttarakhand: A bus carrying passengers fell into a gorge in Almora; 7 killed, 12 injured. The Chief Minister expressed grief over the incident
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A tragic road accident occurred on Tuesday morning in the Salt Bhikiyasain area of Almora district in Uttarakhand. A passenger bus traveling from Dwarahat to Ramnagar on the Bhikiyasain-Vinayak road went out of control and plunged into a deep gorge. The news of the accident caused panic in the area.
According to initial reports, seven passengers have died in the accident, and several others are feared to be seriously injured. Upon receiving information about the incident, police, administration, SDRF, and disaster management teams rushed to the scene. Relief and rescue operations are facing difficulties due to the challenging mountainous terrain.
The bus involved in the accident is a Kumaon Motor Owners Union (KMOU) Limited bus, registration number UK 07 PA 4025, from Ramnagar. The bus had departed from Ramnagar for Dwarahat Nobara at 11 AM on Monday. It then left Dwarahat Nobara for Ramnagar at 6:30 AM on Tuesday. However, about an hour and a half later, around 8 AM, the bus met with the accident near Sailapani Bend. According to reports, the driver and conductor are said to be safe.
According to information received from the Almora district administration, the deceased include four men and three women. Approximately 12 people are reported injured. A total of 19 passengers were on board the bus. Several of the injured are in critical condition.
Chief Minister Dhami expressed his condolences regarding the accident. He posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Received the extremely sad news of a bus accident on the Bhikiyasain-Vinayak motor road in Almora, which was traveling from Bhikiyasain to Ramnagar, resulting in casualties. The injured passengers are being promptly admitted to nearby hospitals by the district administration. Those seriously injured have been referred to higher medical centers for better treatment. The entire situation is being continuously monitored, and I am in constant contact with the local administrative officials.” I pray to God for the speedy recovery of all the injured.
Prime Minister Modi also took notice of the accident and expressed his grief. He wrote on X that the loss of lives in the bus accident in Almora district is very sad, and he extends his condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.
Information about the deceased in the accident:
- Govind Ballabh, son of Kulmani Mathpal, resident of Jamoli, age 80 years
- Parvati Devi, wife of Govind Ballabh, resident of Jamoli, age 75 years
- Retired Subedar Nandan Singh, son of Bhupal Singh Adhikari, resident of Jamoli, age 65 years
- Tara Devi, wife of Mahesh Chandra, resident of Bali Patwari area, age 50 years
- Ganesh, son of Bhim Bahadur, age 25 years
- Umesh, son of unknown, age 25 years
- The identity of one remaining deceased person is being ascertained.
Information about the injured in the accident:
- Nanda Ballabh, son of Sadanand, resident of Naubara, age 50 years
- Rakesh Kumar, son of Mahavir Prasad, resident of GIC Dwarahat, age 55 years
- Nanda Devi, wife of Devendra Singh, resident of Naubara, age 40 years
- Hansi Sati, wife of Ramesh Chandra, resident of Singoli, age 36 years
- Mohit Sati, resident of Naughar, age 16 years
- Buddhiballabh Bhagat, resident of Amoli, age 58 years
- Harish Chandra, resident of Pali, age 62 years
- Bhupendra Singh Adhikari, resident of Jamoli, age 64 years
- Jitendra Rekhadi, resident of Vinayak, age 37 years
- Naveen Chandra, son of Durgapal Tiwari, age 55 years (bus driver)
- Himanshu Paliwal, son of Mahendra Chandra Paliwal, age 17 years
- Prakash Chandra, son of Ramdutt, resident of Chacharoti Syalde, age 43 years
- All the injured are undergoing treatment at Bhikiyasain hospital. However, two seriously injured patients have now been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh.
Second accident in Salt Tehsil area in 14 months: This is the second bus accident in the Salt area of Almora district within 14 months. On November 4, 2024, a bus accident occurred near Kupi village in Marchula, Salt tehsil. This horrific bus accident resulted in the tragic deaths of 36 people. The bus involved in the incident belonged to Garhwal Motor Owners Union Limited and was carrying 50 passengers at the time of the accident.
