Dozens dead as bus loses control in India, veers off Himalayan road and plunges into deep ravine

New Delhi – At least 36 people were killed and six others injured on Monday when a bus lost control and plunged into a ravine on a hilly road in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. The bus was built to carry 42 passengers, but senior state official Deepak Rawat told The Associated Press that it was packed with about 60 people at the time of the accident.

The bus was on its way from Garhwal to the tourist town of Ramnagar when it veered off the road, officials said.

Almora district officials launched a rescue operation and the injured were shifted to regional hospitals.

Uttarakhand police shared a video clip of rescuers working around the overturned bus, which was left next to a river at the foot of a steep hill, nearly 200 feet below the road.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in a social media post that an investigation would be launched into the cause of the incident. Vineet Pal, another state official, said preliminary information suggested the bus was poorly maintained and skidded before plunging into the gorge.

The AP quoted Pal as saying two transportation officials were suspended for certifying the bus despite its poor condition.

Dhami also announced state government compensation of 400,000 Indian rupees ($4,750) for the families of those killed in the crash and 100,000 rupees ($1,190) for those injured.

Dhami said emergency responders were “working quickly to evacuate the injured and take them to the nearest health center for treatment. Instructions have also been given to airlift the seriously injured passengers if necessary.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He announced separate compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,378) for the families of those killed and 50,000 rupees ($594) for those injured.

Road accidents are common in India's hilly Himalayan districts, where buses are the main form of public transportation. Every year, about 160,000 people die in road accidents in India – the highest number in the world – mainly due to reckless driving and poorly maintained roads and vehicles.

At least 18 people were killed in July in Uttar Pradesh state when a double-decker passenger bus collided with a milk truck and, in front of it, a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims went into a skid and rolled into a deep ravine At least 21 people were killed on a mountain road in Indian-controlled Kashmir in May.