In a tragic incident, eight persons were killed and 26 sustained injuries when a bus carrying them fell into a deep gorge near Devidhura in Champawat district late on Friday night. The bus was on its way to Suwalkot from Jaiti in Almora district.
Talking to The Pioneer, Champwat SP KS Naganyal said the bus was carrying a marriage party from Jaiti to Suwalkot. As the bus reached near Devidhura, the driver lost control over the vehicle which fell into a 300-metre deep gorge. Administration confirmed that eight persons died on the spot, while 26 others sustained severe injuries.
As police personnel came to know about the incident, they reached the spot and started rescue operations. They took out the severely injured persons and rushed them to the local hospital from where they were referred to Haldwani, while some were taken to Base hospital, Almora where they are under treatment. A probe has been ordered into the incident to find out exact cause of the incident.
Some locals said the main cause of the incident was non-functioning of the headlights of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vijai Bahuguna announced an ex gratia of Rs 50,000 each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to severely injured persons, and Rs 25,000 each to persons suffering minor injuries.
Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal visited the injured in the hospital. He also met the kin of the injured and assured them of all possible help in treatment of their kin. He directed the hospital authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured.
The condition of some of the injured was critical and they were under observation. Others were recuperating and their condition was stable.