At least 36 people have lost their lives and several others have been injured after a bus plunged into a 50-meter-deep gorge in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. The incident took place in Marchula, a hilly area within the Almora district, where officials reported that the driver lost control of the vehicle, which was carrying 44 passengers.

In response to the tragedy, Uttarakhand’s state government has initiated an investigation into the accident. Buses are the primary mode of transport in this mountainous region, where road accidents are common due to challenging terrain and congested roads. The bus was en route to the Ramnagar district when it veered off the road on Monday morning.

Images and videos from the scene depict the overturned bus at the bottom of a hill. Many passengers were confirmed dead at the site, while survivors were quickly transported to nearby hospitals. Rescue operations are ongoing, with local residents and officials collaborating to assist in retrieving survivors.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and announced financial support of 200,000 rupees (approximately $2,378 or £1,834) for the families of the deceased, along with 50,000 rupees for those injured. Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also pledged assistance for the victims and their families.

India records around 160,000 road accident fatalities annually, making it the country with the highest number of road deaths worldwide. This alarming statistic is attributed to issues such as speeding, overcrowding, and inadequate safety standards, particularly in rural and mountainous areas.