DEHRADUN: A devastating accident near Koopi village in the Marchula area of Sult tehsil resulted in the tragic loss of 37 lives and left 15 others critically injured when a bus carrying 55 passengers overturned into a gorge. The overloaded private bus, traveling from Likhwal to Ramnagar, was reported to have exceeded its capacity, according to officials.

Deepak Rawat, Commissioner of the Kumaon Division, confirmed the rising death toll, while SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi provided details of the prompt rescue efforts. “We received the emergency call at 8:45 am on Monday, and four SDRF teams were immediately sent to the site, where personnel worked tirelessly to rescue the injured and recover the bodies by breaking windows and cutting through the bus’s metal frame,” he said.

Vineet Pal, Almora District Disaster Management Officer, reported that multiple rescue teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and other officials, were deployed for the operation. Deputy SP of Pauri, Anuj Kumar, stated that rescue operations were ongoing, with the injured being transported to Ramnagar Hospital for treatment.

In response to the tragedy, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami suspended the Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTO) in Pauri and Almora and announced financial assistance of ₹4 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for each injured passenger. Expressing his grief, the Chief Minister said on X, “The district administration has been instructed to accelerate relief and rescue operations,” and ordered a magisterial inquiry by the Kumaon Mandal Commissioner. He also directed authorities to prepare for the potential airlifting of critically injured individuals if necessary.

Congress Committee President Karan Mahara expressed his condolences, calling the accident a “tragic and irreparable loss,” while Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended his sympathies to the affected families and wished a swift recovery to the injured.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed their sorrow, offering heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for each injured person from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, emphasizing that local authorities are actively engaged in relief and rescue efforts.