Five people were killed and 21 were injured after the bus they were travelling in fell into a gorge in Uttarakhand’s Almora district on Thursday, IANS reported. At least 14 of the injured are believed to be in a critical condition and are being treated at a hospital in Haldwani.
The Uttarakhand Police said the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. An initial investigation indicated that the brakes in the bus failed at the time of the incident, the news agency report quoted unidentified officials as saying.
The bus, belonging to the Garhwal Motor Owners Union, was carrying 26 people, including the driver and the conductor, when the accident occurred at Saingda Gadhera on the Bhatrojkhan-Bhikiyasan road.
District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria and Senior Superintendent of Police P Renuka Devi are monitoring the rescue and relief operation. Devi said four of the injured were flown to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh, Hindustan Times reported.
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat expressed his condolences to the families of the victims on Twitter. Singh directed the local authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.
On Monday, three people were killed and two injured when their tempo fell into a gorge in Uttarkashi district.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!