A bus in India plunged into a deep Himalayan ravine on Monday, killing at least 36 passengers and injuring several others, a government official said Monday.
According to the AFP, several others were injured in the crash, which highlights the persistent dangers of navigating the region’s treacherous roads.
Images released by rescue teams revealed the mangled remains of the bus, with the front section almost completely flattened and debris scattered amidst dense undergrowth.
Volunteers formed a human chain to assist with rescue efforts, working tirelessly to extract the injured from the wreckage and transport the deceased.
“Thirty-six casualties have been confirmed so far,” said Deepak Rawat, a senior official from Uttarakhand. “Three critically injured passengers have been airlifted to a hospital for urgent treatment.”
Road accidents are a grim reality along the winding, poorly maintained routes in the Himalayas, where hazardous terrain, reckless driving, and inadequate infrastructure contribute to frequent tragedies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “My deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this unfortunate accident.”
He also announced financial support of 200,000 rupees (around $2,380) for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees (about $595) for the injured.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that an investigation into the accident has been ordered. “We are committed to finding out what caused this tragic incident,” he said.
The bus plunged off a mountainous road in forested hills near Almora, where the combination of difficult terrain and a lack of road safety measures has repeatedly proven deadly. Every year, hundreds lose their lives in road accidents across India, particularly in mountainous regions like Uttarakhand.
