Uttarakhand tragedy: 48 killed, 12 injured as 22-seater bus falls into gorge
Forty four people died on the spot while one succumbed to injuries after being taken to a hospital in Dhumakot.
In Short
- 44 people died on the spot, four at hospital.
- 60 people were travelling in 22-seater bus.
- 12 injured have been rushed to local hospital.
A total of 48 people were killed and 12 injured in a bus accident in Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district on Sunday morning.
Forty four people died on the spot while four succumbed to injuries after being taken to a hospital in Dhumakot. The injured have been taken to a local hospital from where they will be flown to Rishikesh.
The 22-seater bus was carrying 60 people, none of which escaped unhurt. The deceased include 22 men, 16 women and 10 children.
Owing to limited resources in the far-flung area, police found it hard to initiate rescue operations. The bus was travelling from Bhaun to Ramnagar.
The state government has pressed in helicopters to ferry the injured to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh. They are being taken to a nearby helipad. Seven ambulances are on standby in Rishikesh.
However, the helicopters are unable to operate due to bad weather in the region.
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. He said the state government will bear the cost of treatment for the injured and adequate compensation will be paid to them.
A magisterial probe has also been ordered into the tragedy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed grief over the tragedy.
"Extremely saddened by the bus accident in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families," the Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet.
Extremely saddened by the bus accident in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that those injured recover at the earliest. Rescue operations are underway and authorities are providing all possible assistance at the accident site: PM PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 1, 2018
"I pray the injured recover at the earliest. Rescue operations are underway and authorities are providing all possible assistance at the accident site," it said.
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