14 killed as bus falls into gorge in India
At least 14 people were killed and 18 injured after an Uttarakhand Transport Corporation bus fell into a gorge near Chamba town in Tehri district on Thursday morning.
Six of the injured were reportedly in a critical condition, and had to be airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh. Reports Hindustan Times.
Sources in the State Disaster Response Force stated that the bus, coming from Uttarkashi’s Badkot with over 30 passengers, tumbled into a 250-metre gorge in Suryadhar area around 7:54am (local time). Rescue operations were launched soon afterwards, with the government deploying a helicopter to airlift the critically injured to Rishikesh.
An ANI report stated that the victims’ next of kin would be provided monetary compensation of Rs 2 lakh each, besides Rs 50,000 for those injured in the accident. A magisterial probe has also been ordered into the matter.
“Rescue machinery was immediately put into action at the district as well as the state levels. The helicopter is in the process of airlifting victims. District magistrate Sonika is at the accident site, monitoring the rescue and relief work,” said secretary (disaster) Amit Singh Negi.
A separate probe into the incident will be conducted by the transport secretary.
As many as 48 people had died in a similar accident that occurred in Pauri Garhwal on July 1.
/S.M
