Five Killed As Tourist Bus Plunges 70m Into Gorge

A bus carrying pilgrims has plunged into a gorge in northern India, killing at least five passengers and injuring several others.

The accident happened in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand after the bus lost control on a steep mountainous road.

The vehicle was reported to be carrying around 30 people and was descending from a visit to a temple on the Kunjapuri–Hindolakhal route in the Narendranagar area when it suddenly veered off the road and fell approximately 70 metres into a gorge.

Rescue operations were promptly launched after local authorities alerted the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Five SDRF teams rushed to the site and survivors were pulled from the ravine and transported to hospitals nearby.

According to police statements, the victims hailed from various parts of India.

Multiple injured passengers have been admitted to hospitals, some referred to a higher-level trauma centre for critical care.

Officials are investigating the cause of the accident but at this stage it remains unclear whether human error, mechanical failure, or road conditions triggered the crash.

Authorities are now calling for a review of safety measures on hilly routes frequented by tourist and pilgrimage traffic.

Main image courtesy Hindustan Times