2024 Almora bus accident

{{Infobox public transit accident

|name = Almora bus accident

|pushpin_map = India Uttarakhand#India

|pushpin_map_caption =

|coordinates = {{coord|29.6084924|N|79.0909563|E|display=inline,title}}

|date = 4 November 2024

|time = {{Circa}} 8:45{{nbsp}}a.m. IST

|location = Marchula

|location_city = Almora, Uttarakhand

|location_dist_km = 2

|country = India

|operator = Garhwal Motor Owners Union

|service = Garhwal to Kumaon

|type = Fall into a {{cvt|150|m}} gorge

|passengers = 60

|crew = 2

|deaths = 38{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-bus-plunges-into-gorge-dead-multiple-rescue-operation-9652494/|title=36 killed as bus plunges into gorge in Uttarakhand, death toll likely to rise|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}}

|injuries = 25{{cite news|date=4 November 2024|first=Nikita|last=Yadav|title=At least 36 die after bus falls into a gorge in India|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9xyg1xxzvo|access-date=4 November 2024|work=BBC News}}

}}

On 4 November 2024, a bus traveling from Garhwal to the Kumaon region in the Indian state of Uttarakhand fell into a gorge near Almora. 38 people were killed and 25 others were injured.

Crash

At about 6:30{{nbsp}}a.m. IST on 4 November 2024, a bus carrying about 60 passengers returning to work after Diwali break and two crew was traveling from Garhwal to Kumaon region in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.{{cite news|date=4 November 2024|first=Charna|last=Flam|title=36 People Die, 6 Injured After Overcrowded Bus Crashes in India|url=https://people.com/36-people-die-after-overcrowded-bus-crashes-in-india-8739667|access-date=4 November 2024|work=People}}{{cite news|title=Uttarakhand Bus Accident: At Least 36 Dead, Many Feared Trapped In Gorge; Rescue Teams Deployed|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/at-least-10-dead-many-feared-trapped-as-bus-fell-into-gorge-in-uttarakhand-s-ramnagar-2815444.html|work=Zee News|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}}{{cite news|title=At least 36 killed after bus falls into gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora; several injured|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/several-feared-dead-in-bus-falls-into-gorge-in-almora-uttarakhand-1.10047432|newspaper=Mathrubhumi|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}} At around 8:45{{nbsp}}a.m. while traveling on a hill side about {{cvt|2|km}} from Marchula near Almora, the bus rod spring broke at a bend causing the bus to tilt and fall down 150m into a gorge.{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2024 |title=Almora bus accident: Death toll rises to 38 after two succumb to injuries |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/dehradun-news/almora-bus-accident-death-toll-rises-to-38-after-two-succumb-to-injuries-101731409646059.html?utm_source=microsoft-ht |access-date=November 14, 2024 |publisher=Hindustan Times via MSN |language=en}}{{cite news|title=Uttarakhand bus accident: Amit Shah condoles loss of lives|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-bus-accident-amit-shah-condoles-loss-of-lives-3261059|newspaper=Deccan Herald|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}}{{cite news|title=36 Killed As Bus Falls In Gorge In Uttarakhand's Almora District|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/uttarakhand-bus-accident-at-least-20-killed-as-bus-falls-in-gorge-in-uttarakhands-almora-district-6939132|work=NDTV|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}}

Emergency response

Uttarakhand Police from the Nainital district and three teams of the State Disaster Response Force were dispatched to the site.{{cite news|title=36 killed as bus falls into Uttarakhand gorge, Rs 4 lakh aid announced|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/uttarakhand-almore-salt-bus-accident-falls-gorge-dead-injured-rescue-2627594-2024-11-04|work=India Today|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}} Rescued passengers were admitted to nearby hospitals and three critically injured passengers were airlifted to AIIMS in Rishikesh for treatment.{{cite news|title=Uttarakhand bus accident claims 36 lives in India|url=https://samaa.tv/2087323468-uttarakhand-bus-accident-claims-36-lives-in-india|newspaper=Samaa|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}}

Victims

Thirty-six people were killed and 27 others were injured in the crash.{{cite news|title=36 killed as bus plunges into gorge in Uttarakhand, death toll likely to rise|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-bus-plunges-into-gorge-dead-multiple-rescue-operation-9652494/|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}}{{cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|title=Uttarakhand Bus Accident: At least 23 die as bus falls into gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora district|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttarakhand/almora-uttarakhand-bus-accident-many-dead-november-4-2024/article68828086.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}}{{cite news|title=Garwal motors users bus falls into gorge in Uttrakhand's Pauri Almora border in Kupi ramnagar, several feared dead|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/garwal-motors-users-bus-falls-into-gorge-uttarakhands-pauri-almora-border-in-kupi-ramnagar-several-feared-dead-101730695641847.html|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}} Two of those injured died on November 12 after being hospitalized after the crash, bringing the final death toll to 38.{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2024 |title=Almora bus accident: Death toll rises to 38 after two succumb to injuries |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/dehradun-news/almora-bus-accident-death-toll-rises-to-38-after-two-succumb-to-injuries-101731409646059.html?utm_source=microsoft-ht |access-date=November 14, 2024 |publisher=Hindustan Times via MSN |language=en}}

Cause

The bus was purportedly carrying 60 passengers including many standing passengers at the time of the incident, although the bus was built to hold only 42 passengers.{{cite news|title=Uttarakhand bus accident – Kharge, Rahul express grief at loss of life|url=https://udayavani.com/english-news/uttarakhand-bus-accident-kharge-rahul-express-grief-at-loss-of-lives|newspaper=Udayavani|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}} Many people were reported to have died on the spot after being thrown out of the bus on impact.{{cite news|title=Almora-Marchula accident: Many passengers were standing when packed Uttarakhand bus falls into gorge, 22 died instantly|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2024/11/04/latest-news-almora-marchula-bus-accident-what-we-know-so-far-at-least-36-killed-as-packed-uttarakhand-bus-falls-into-gorge.html|work=The Week|date=4 November 2024|access-date=4 November 2024}}

Reactions

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a compensation of {{INRconvert|0.4|m}} for the families of the deceased and {{INRconvert|0.1|m}} for the injured. Various leaders expressed their condolences on the accident.

References

Category:2024 road incidents in Asia

Category:2024 disasters in India

Category:2020s in Uttarakhand

Category:November 2024 in India

Category:Bus incidents in India

Category:Disasters in Uttarakhand

2024 bus accident