14 killed as bus falls into ditch in Uttarakhand’s Damta

The private-run bus was on its way to Vikas Nagar from Jankichatti in the district when it fell into the gorge near Damta, District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan said. Ten people died at the spot and two succumbed at a nearby hospital, he said.

At least 14 people were killed and 14 others injured after a bus fell into a ditch on Sunday in Damta town of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand.

Six of the injured were air-lifted to AIIMS, Rishikesh and Jolly Grant hospital in Dehradrun by the rescue teams which comprised of local police and members of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team, said officials. The rescue operation is still underway.

Police say the accident took place around 12 noon when the bus, carrying over 20 passengers, was travelling from Jankichatti to Vikasnagar on Yamunotri highway. The bus’ driver, who is also among the injured, lost control over it near Damta and it fell in an 80-metre deep ditch.

“As soon the local police and SDRF received information about the accident, teams were rushed to the spot for rescue operation. Sensing the gravity of the accident, a SDRF team was rushed to the spot from Sahastradhara and another one from Badkot. Apart from this, 17 personnel were rushed from battalion headquarters,” said senior superintendent of police, SDRF, Barinderjit Singh.

“The rescue operation is still on and the number of dead could increase,” he added.

Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat sent condolences to the family members of the deceased and injured and assured them of compensation. He has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the accident..