In a major road accident, at least 17 people were killed and 21 others seriously injured when a Uttarakhand Roadways bus (Pithoragarh-Delhi, via Almora) they were travelling on slipped into a gorge near Dhyari, 67 km from Almora district headquarters at around 1.00 pm on Saturday. The bus was carrying 38 passengers. Of them 16 people died on the spot while one died in a local hospital. Five among the deceased were women. The condition of four others, who are now being treated at a local hospital, is stated to be serious. Two children, sitting in the bus, had a close shave. Rescue operation is being carried out by police in assistance with the locals.
The injured were extricated from the bus and admitted to the hospital. later the bodies were also taken out from the bus and sent for post-mortem, said Almora circle officer KB Pandey.17 killed, 21 injured in road mishap near Almora Bodies have not been identified so far, he added. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and directed the district magistrate, Almora to give adequate compensation to the next of kin of those killed and adequate fund to be released for the treatment of the seriously injured. He directed the DM, Almora to conduct magisterial inquiry into the accident. He also directed the Managing Director , transport corporation, to conduct inquiry to find out the reason behind the accident.