Uttarakhand bus accident: Rahul Gandhi asks Congress workers to aid in relief & rescue work

New Delhi [India], November 4 (ANI): Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday asked the Uttarakhand administration to extend full support to all the affected families of 35 people who lost their lives in a bus accident in Almora district.

उत्तराखंड के अल्मोड़ा में भीषण सड़क हादसे में कई लोगों की मृत्यु का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद है। सभी शोक-संतप्त परिवारों के प्रति अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं और घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की आशा करता हूं।

प्रशासन से अपेक्षा है कि वो सभी पीड़ित परिवारों को पूरा समर्थन दें।…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 4, 2024

In a condolence message on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "The news of the death of many people in a horrific road accident in Almora, Uttarakhand is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured."
He said that the administration is expected to extend full support to all the affected families. "Congress workers are requested to provide all possible support in the relief and rescue work."
Several others were injured after a bus carrying around 50 passengers fell into a deep george near Almora district.
Rescue and relief operations are underway.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the accident and cancelled all his programes in view of the incident.
Meanwhile, authorities in Uttarakhand have suspended Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTO) of Pauri and Almora and started an investigation into the incident.
"...Around 50 passengers were on board, have fallen into the gorge... As per the instructions received from him, our police SDRF and health department team were immediately activated... The information that we have, here is more than 35 casualties, their names and addresses are being verified and some injured passengers have also been shifted to AIIMS, Rishikesh," Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar told ANI.
He said in view of the incident, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has cancelled all his programs in Delhi and said officials from the police department are investigating the matter.
"This is a very serious incident and in view of this incident, the Chief Minister cancelled all his programs in Delhi and is going to Ramnagar immediately... Senior officers from the police department who are present on the spot are investigating the reasons for the incident and whatever prima facie reason will be found in it, a case will be registered and necessary action will be taken in that," DGP Kumar added.
Uttarakhand Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said that all steps will be taken to ensure such accidents do not happen again.
"Many people have died after a bus fell into a deep gorge. The Uttarakhand government has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident. Rs 1 lakh will be given by the state government to the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakhs will be given to the next of kin of each deceased by the state government. Three injured have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh, out of which the condition of the injured is stable...The incident is very unfortunate...Proper steps will be taken to ensure that these kinds of incidents don't take place in the future," he said.
CM Dhami said that the injured has been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh and Sushila Tiwari Hospital Haldwani for better treatment.In a post on X, CM Dhami said, "The seriously injured in the bus accident in Almora district have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh and Sushila Tiwari Hospital Haldwani for better treatment. I am also taking information about the relief and rescue operations and postponing all the programs for today, I am leaving for Pantnagar from Delhi."
DGP Kumar further added, "Rescue and relief operations are continuing. All concerned personnel are engaged in rescue and relief measures. ARTO of Pauri and Almorah has been suspended. I will take a meeting of all SPs tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will be given Rs. 50,000, the Prime Minister's office said.
"My condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the road accident in Almora, Uttarakhand. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is making every possible effort for relief and rescue," PM Modi said, according to a post on PMO's X account.
CM Dhami has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the accident. (ANI)