15 killed after bus plunges 100-feet deep into gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora

Dehradun: Fifteen persons were killed and 25 others injured when a bus, travelling from Pithoragarh to Delhi, fell into a deep gorge in Almora district this afternoon.

The Uttarakhand Roadways bus, carrying about 40 passengers, fell into a 100-feet deep gorge at Dhyari, nearly 65 kms from Almora, killing 15 persons on the spot, Kumaon DIG Pushkar Sailal said.

Twenty-five persons, who sustained injuries in the accident, have been rushed to hospital, he said, adding the accident occurred around 1 pm.

The bodies are still being extricated from the bus and rescue operations are on, he said.

Causes of the accident are being probed, he said. Chief Minister Harish Rawat has expressed grief at the loss of lives in the accident and Mr Rawat announced compensation of Rs. 1 lakh to the next of kin of those killed, Rs. 50,000 for those seriously injured and Rs. 20,000 for those who sustained minor injuries.

Pradesh Congress Chief Kishore Upadhyay also expressed grief at the loss of lives in the accident.