Uttarakhand Bus Accident Kills at Least 36

A tragic bus accident in the Marchula area of Almora district, Uttarakhand, India, resulted in at least 36 fatalities and numerous injuries. The bus, carrying over 40 passengers from Garhwal to Ramnagar, skidded off a mountainous road and plunged into a 60-meter gorge. Rescue operations are ongoing, with some critically injured individuals airlifted for treatment. Both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami have announced financial compensation for the victims' families and ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. The accident highlights the frequent road safety issues in the region, often due to poor road conditions and reckless driving. Similar accidents are not uncommon in hilly regions of India and Sri Lanka, where road maintenance and driving practices remain significant concerns.