In a tragic incident that unfolded near Gangani on the Gangotri national highway in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, a bus catastrophe has left seven individuals dead and 27 others severely injured. The ill-fated bus, carrying a total of 35 passengers, tragically plunged into a 50-meter-deep gorge, sending shockwaves through the local community and beyond. Rescue operations are underway, with efforts focused on saving a passenger who remains trapped within the wreckage.
The distressing event occurred around 4 pm on a fateful Sunday, as the bus was en route from Gangotri to Uttarkashi, taking passengers on a journey through the picturesque terrain. The accident’s cause remains unknown at this time, adding to the heartbreak and uncertainty surrounding the incident.
Uttarkashi district’s disaster management officer (DDMO), Devendra Patwal, reported the grim details, confirming that seven lives were lost, and the surviving 27 passengers sustained injuries. Emergency response teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police, immediately sprang into action to initiate rescue efforts. The injured were promptly transported to hospitals for necessary medical attention.
Lalita Negi, the SDRF media in-charge, provided insight into the ongoing rescue operation, noting that teams were working tirelessly at the accident site. The injured survivors have been taken to hospitals for treatment, with the severity of their injuries yet to be determined.
Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, expressed deep condolences over the loss of seven lives and extended his heartfelt wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured. He conveyed his sentiments on a social media platform, emphasizing his hopes for solace to the departed souls and strength for the bereaved families. Chief Minister Dhami highlighted his commitment to ensuring relief and rescue operations, asserting that proper arrangements would be made for the treatment of the injured individuals.
Present at the scene of the accident were Uttarkashi district magistrate (DM) Abhishek Ruhela and superintendent of police (SP) Arpan Yaduvanshi, overseeing the ongoing rescue operation. To facilitate the injured passengers’ swift transportation to medical facilities, nine ambulances were mobilized. Additionally, authorities had a helicopter on standby, ready to transfer the injured to higher-tier medical centers if required.
The tragic incident further adds to Uttarakhand’s road safety concerns. Since June 15, a total of 53 people have lost their lives, with 157 sustaining injuries and three remaining missing in various road accidents across the state. The toll includes casualties from Pithoragarh, Pauri, Tehri, Dehradun, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Almora, Haridwar, Nainital, and Rudraprayag districts, highlighting the pressing need for enhanced road safety measures and awareness campaigns to prevent such heart-wrenching incidents in the future.
Sources By Agencies