Dehradun: The death toll in the bus accident in Uttarakhand's Almora district has risen to 36. Local officials reported that a 45-seater passenger bus, traveling from Pauri in Garhwal to Ramnagar in Kumaon, veered off course and plunged into a 200-meter-deep gorge at Marchula early this morning. The accident occurred about 35 kilometers from the bus's destination in Rampur, along an overnight route spanning roughly 250 kilometers.

Emergency response teams, including the police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), have begun rescue operations at the crash site. The accident reportedly happened around 8:25 a.m., with nearby villagers acting as first responders and helping to rescue passengers. While many lost their lives instantly, nine others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. Three critically injured passengers were airlifted to AIIMS for advanced medical care. The bus, operated by the Garhwal Motor Owners' Union, is under investigation to determine the cause of the tragedy. Authorities from Almora and Ramnagar are present on the scene.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident and has directed district authorities to expedite rescue operations. He shared on X, "Saddened by the tragic loss of passengers in the unfortunate bus accident at Marchula in Almora district. The administration has been instructed to carry out relief and rescue efforts promptly."

He also stated that local administration and SDRF teams are actively working to evacuate the injured and transport them to nearby health facilities, with instructions to airlift critical cases if necessary.

The Chief Minister has ordered the suspension of RTO officials in the region. Additionally, he announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and ₹1 lakh for the injured. A magisterial inquiry into the accident has also been initiated.