Uttarakhand Bus Accident in Almora: 7 Dead, 12 Injured After Vehicle Falls into Gorge

Uttarakhand Bus Accident in Almora: 7 Dead, 12 Injured After Vehicle Falls into Gorge

Uttarakhand :  At least seven people lost their lives and 12 others were injured after a passenger bus plunged into a deep gorge in Uttarakhand’s Almora district on Tuesday, officials said. The tragic accident occurred on a hilly stretch of road near Marchula village, highlighting once again the risks of travel on the state’s narrow and winding mountain roads.

According to preliminary information from the district administration, the bus was travelling from Ramnagar to Ranikhet when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a sharp curve. The bus skidded off the road and fell into a gorge estimated to be several hundred feet deep. Local residents alerted authorities after hearing the crash, following which rescue operations were launched.

Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, fire services and revenue department rushed to the spot. Due to the steep terrain and difficult access, rescue efforts were challenging and took several hours. Officials said that some passengers were trapped inside the mangled bus and had to be pulled out using ropes and stretchers.

“Seven passengers have died in the accident, while 12 others sustained injuries. The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment,” an Almora district official said. The condition of a few injured passengers is stated to be critical, and they may be referred to higher medical centres if required.

Eyewitnesses and locals who assisted in the initial rescue said the bus appeared overcrowded. However, authorities are yet to confirm the exact number of passengers on board at the time of the accident. The cause of the crash is also under investigation, with officials examining whether overspeeding, mechanical failure, road conditions or human error played a role.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister expressed grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. In a statement, he said the state government has directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and to provide all possible assistance to affected families. Compensation for the victims is expected to be announced after official verification.

Road accidents are common in Uttarakhand’s hill districts, especially during adverse weather and on poorly maintained roads with sharp bends and limited safety barriers. Experts have repeatedly stressed the need for stricter enforcement of traffic rules, regular vehicle fitness checks and improved road infrastructure to reduce such incidents.

Meanwhile, the district administration has ordered a detailed inquiry into the accident. Officials said the bus operator’s documents, driver’s licence and vehicle condition will be examined as part of the probe. Traffic on the route was temporarily disrupted following the accident but was later restored.

As rescue teams concluded operations at the site, the tragedy left the region in shock, with locals calling for urgent measures to improve road safety in the hill state to prevent similar accidents in the future.