50 passengers in bus falls in deep gorge in Uttarakhand's Kotdwar

A bus carrying around 50 passengers fell in a deep gorge on Tuesday in Uttarakhand's Kotdwar district. According to reports, the bus fell into the gorge near Simdi village on Rikhnikhal Bironkhal Motor Road in Dhumakote police station area of Pauri district.

The wedding bus was going from Laldhang in Haridwar district to Birkhal block of Pauri district. No official confirmation of casualties or deaths has been received so far.

Officials from Dhumkot police station rushed to the spot soon after the incident was reported. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached the State Disaster Management Center soon after he was informed about the tragic accident.

"State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams mobilised for the accident spot. We are trying our best to take all the facilities to the accident spot. Local villagers helping in rescue operation," Dhami told news agency



ANI.

In a similar incident, a bus fell into a 250-metre deep gorge in Uttarkashi district in June this year, killing 25 people from Madhya Pradesh's Panna district. The bus carrying pilgrims to Yamunotri Dham fell into the gorge which was around 4 km ahead of Damta under Purola police station in Uttarkashi.

After initial investigation, police suspected that the bus met with the accident as it was speeding when it tore through the crash barriers and hit a tree, before plunging into the gorge.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an exgratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the accident. Additionally, the Madhya Pradesh government announced Rs 5 lakh exgratia to families of deceased and Rs 50,000 to each injured in the mishap.

Even the Uttarakhand government decided to give a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.