Marchula, 4 Nov

A packed beyond capacity bus carrying passengers returning to work after Diwali fell into a deep gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora district on Monday, killing at least 36 of the about 60 people on board. Of the 36 killed, 10 are women.

Twenty-four people were injured, four of them critically, when the 43-seater bus, operated by the private Garhwal Motor Owner Association, was on its way from Pauri in Garhwal region to Ramnagar in Kumaon about 250 km away. The accident took place around 8 am, almost the fag end of the overnight journey, said District Magistrate Alok Kumar Pandey.

The bus plunged into a 200-metre gorge in Almora's Marchula area 35 km before its destination Ramnagar, he said.

A magisterial probe has been ordered and the assistant regional transport officers of Pauri and Almora suspended.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were among those who expressed their grief at the loss of lives in the accident and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.

The prime minister announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and an assistance of Rs 50,000 for the injured. He said the local administration is making every possible effort for relief and rescue.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin and financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh for the injured. —PTI