Uttarakhand: Death Toll Increases To 26 After Bus Falls Into Deep Gorge. 4 Critically Injured

Uttarkashi Bus Accident: The bus was carrying over 28 pilgrims to Yamunotri, apart from the driver and helper.

Wreckage of a bus after it fell into a deep gorge, in Uttarkashi district, Sunday, June 5, 2022. The bus was carrying pilgrims, and at least 25 people died and 3 others suffered injuries. (Image Source: PTI)

New Delhi: The death toll in the Uttarkashi bus accident has increased to 26 after a bus carrying 30 people en route to the Yamunotri temple fell into a deep gorge on Sunday evening. According to an ANI report, four pilgrims traveling in the same bus are critically injured. The accident took place near Rikhavu khadd on the way to the Himalayan shrine around two kilometres from Damta on NH-94, Uttarkashi District Disaster Management Officer Devendra Patwal said.

The pilgrims were from Panna district in Madhya Pradesh, Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the tragic incident and announced ex gratia to the kin of passengers. 

"The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the accident in Uttarakhand. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 each," tweeted Prime Minister's Office. 

Besides the driver and the helper, there were 28 passengers on the bus.

Seventeen bodies have been recovered so far, and a search is on for the rest, Patwal said.

Three people injured in the accident have been admitted to the Community Health Centre in Damta.

President Ram Nath Kovind offered his condolonce over the incident. "I feel pained by the sad news of the death of people in a bus accident in Uttarakhand. I express my condolences to the families of the deceased," the President tweeted. 

उत्तराखंड में एक बस दुर्घटना में लोगों के निधन के दुखद समाचार से मैं व्यथित महसूस कर रहा हूं। मैं दिवंगत लोगों के परिवार जनों के प्रति अपनी शोक संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं।

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 5, 2022

Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his anguish over the incident and said that he has spoken to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the same. He added that the local administration and State Disaster Response Force team are on the ground and the NDRF team will also reach soon. 

“It is very sad to hear about the bus of devotees falling into the gorge in Uttarakhand. I have spoken to the Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ji on this. Local administration and SDRF teams are engaged in rescue work and the injured are being taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. NDRF is also reaching there soon,” Shah tweeted.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached the Disaster Control Room in Dehradun and directed the district administration to carry out relief and rescue work expeditiously along with proper treatment of the injured, said the Chief Minister's Office, as reported by the news agency. 

Uttarakhand | CM Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Disaster Control Room in Dehradun pertaining to a bus accident in Uttarkashi dist. He directed the district administration to carry out relief & rescue work expeditiously along with proper treatment of the injured: CMO pic.twitter.com/IkRro1dHxC

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 5, 2022

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted saying that he and his team is in constant contact with CM Dhami adding that arrangements are being made for treatment to injured and bringing back of bodies of deceased people back to Madhya Pradesh. 

"Me and my team are in constant touch with Uttarakhand government and local district administration. Arrangements are being made to treat the injured and bring the dead bodies to Madhya Pradesh. The family should not feel alone in this hour of grief, we are with all the bereaved families," he said. 

मैंने उत्तराखंड के सीएम श्री @pushkardhami जी से फोन पर चर्चा कर घायलों को सुरक्षित स्थान पर पहुंचाने और उनके समुचित इलाज की व्यवस्था के लिए आग्रह किया है।

मैंने पूरी घटना के रेस्क्यू के संबंध में जानकारी ली और सतत संपर्क में हूं। मैं मुख्यमंत्री धामी जी से निरंतर चर्चा में हूं। https://t.co/KcVpWDg1jq

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) June 5, 2022

"I have discussed with the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami ji and requested him to take the injured to a safe place and make arrangements for their proper treatment. I inquired about the rescue of the entire incident and am in constant touch. I am in constant discussion with Chief Minister Dhami ji," the CM added.