On 4 November 2024, a bus traveling from Garhwal to the Kumaon region in the Indian state of Uttarakhand fell into a gorge near Almora. 38 people were killed and 25 others were injured.

Almora bus accident
2024 Almora bus accident is located in Uttarakhand
2024 Almora bus accident
2024 Almora bus accident is located in India
2024 Almora bus accident
Details
Date4 November 2024
c. 8:45 a.m. IST
LocationMarchula
2 km (1.2 mi) from Almora, Uttarakhand
Coordinates29°36′31″N 79°05′27″E / 29.6084924°N 79.0909563°E / 29.6084924; 79.0909563
CountryIndia
OperatorGarhwal Motor Owners Union
ServiceGarhwal to Kumaon
Incident typeFall into a 150 m (490 ft) gorge
Statistics
Passengers60
Crew2
Deaths38[1]
Injured25[2]

Crash

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At about 6:30 a.m. IST on 4 November 2024, a bus carrying about 60 passengers returning to work after Diwali break and two crew was traveling from Garhwal to Kumaon region in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.[3][4][5] At around 8:45 a.m. while traveling on a hill side about 2 km (1.2 mi) from Marchula near Almora, the bus rod spring broke at a bend causing the bus to tilt and fall down 150m into a gorge.[6][7][8]

Emergency response

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Uttarakhand Police from the Nainital district and three teams of the State Disaster Response Force were dispatched to the site.[9] Rescued passengers were admitted to nearby hospitals and three critically injured passengers were airlifted to AIIMS in Rishikesh for treatment.[10]

Victims

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38 people were killed and 25 others were injured in the crash.[11][12][13]

On November 12, two of the 27 injured people succumbed to their injuries, making the death toll rise to 38.[6]

Cause

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The bus was purportedly carrying 60 passengers including many standing passengers at the time of the incident, although the bus was built to hold only 42 passengers.[3][14] Many people were reported to have died on the spot after being thrown out of the bus on impact.[15]

Reactions

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The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a compensation of 0.4 million (US$4,800) for the families of the deceased and 0.1 million (US$1,200) for the injured.[9][11] Various leaders expressed their condolences on the accident.[7][14]

References

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  1. ^ "36 killed as bus plunges into gorge in Uttarakhand, death toll likely to rise". The Indian Express. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  2. ^ Yadav, Nikita (4 November 2024). "At least 36 die after bus falls into a gorge in India". BBC News. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b Flam, Charna (4 November 2024). "36 People Die, 6 Injured After Overcrowded Bus Crashes in India". People. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Uttarakhand Bus Accident: At Least 36 Dead, Many Feared Trapped In Gorge; Rescue Teams Deployed". Zee News. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  5. ^ "At least 36 killed after bus falls into gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora; several injured". Mathrubhumi. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Almora bus accident: Death toll rises to 38 after two succumb to injuries". Hindustan Times via MSN. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Uttarakhand bus accident: Amit Shah condoles loss of lives". Deccan Herald. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  8. ^ "36 Killed As Bus Falls In Gorge In Uttarakhand's Almora District". NDTV. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  9. ^ a b "36 killed as bus falls into Uttarakhand gorge, Rs 4 lakh aid announced". India Today. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Uttarakhand bus accident claims 36 lives in India". Samaa. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  11. ^ a b "36 killed as bus plunges into gorge in Uttarakhand, death toll likely to rise". The Indian Express. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Uttarakhand Bus Accident: At least 23 die as bus falls into gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora district". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  13. ^ "Garwal motors users bus falls into gorge in Uttrakhand's Pauri Almora border in Kupi ramnagar, several feared dead". Hindustan Times. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Uttarakhand bus accident – Kharge, Rahul express grief at loss of life". Udayavani. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Almora-Marchula accident: Many passengers were standing when packed Uttarakhand bus falls into gorge, 22 died instantly". The Week. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.