27 killed as bus falls into gorge in Uttarakhand

In a heart-rending accident on Wednesday, at least 27 people were killed and many others seriously injured when a bus plunged into a deep gorge at Chilhal, Tyuni, near Chakrata. The accident took place around 10 am when the ill-fated bus was on its way to Vikasnagar from Hanol. The bus, carrying more than 50 passengers, skidded off the road and fell into a 400-metre deep gorge, killing several people on the spot. 

The local administration immediately swung into action and the injured were rushed to various nearby hospitals. The locals too extended their help. However, incessant rains and rough terrain hindered rescue workers and slowed down the pace of rescue operation. Later in the day, the most critically injured were reportedly referred to Dehradun.

The accident caused a flutter in Dehradun district and senior officials and public representatives, including District Magistrate Ravinath Raman, SSP Neeru Garg, local MLA and Cabinet Minister Preetam Singh Panwar, rushed to the spot to oversee the rescue work. Governor Aziz Qureshi and Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna extended their condolences to the bereaved families. The Chief Minister also announced compensation of `1 lakh to the families of the deceased, `50,000 each to the seriously injured and `25,000 for victims with minor injuries.  He also ordered magisterial probe into the accident.

Prima facie, overloading is said to be the cause of the accident. According to State Emergency Operations Centre, the bus was carrying 52 passengers. It’s common with drivers and bus conductors to stuff in passengers more the capacity of the bus. Most of the buses plying in the hills are not fit to traverse the mountainous terrain.

the poineer