Uttarakhand: 48 killed, 12 injured as bus falls into gorge in Nainidhanda area

Dehradun, July 1: Forty eight people were killed amd 12 injured after a bus fell down a gorge in Pauri Garhwal district's Nanidhanda area in Uttarakhand. The incident happened when the bus was travelling from Bhoan to Ramnagar. The number of casualties is expected to rise.

"There have been 48 casualties and 12 injuries in the accident. Out of the 48 dead, 22 are men, 16 women and 10 children. All bodies have been identified," said Deepam Seth, IG law & order, on Sunday evening.

Several people were injured in the accident and were provided medical treatment.

According to reports, about 45 passengers were travelling in the minibus which was headed for Ramnagar from Bhoan. The reason for the accident isn't known yet.

The SP, who rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident, said at least 40 people were killed and over 12 injured, who have been rushed to a hospital in Dhumakot.

However, the exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained, he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat offered his condolences to the families of those killed. ''Compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the dead and treatment of injured will be take care of by the govt, appropriate compensation will also be given to the injured. Magisterial inquiry has been ordered,'' he said.

''I have been told that 30 people have lost their lives in the bus accident near Nainidhanda in Pauri Garhwal district. SDRF & other agencies have been set to the spot to carry out rescue and relief operations,'' he further said.