Uttarkashi bus accident: Death toll rises to 26 as rescue operation ends

Uttarkashi: Twenty-six persons died while four others were injured after a bus carrying pilgrims fell into a deep gorge in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district on Sunday, ANI reported.

Search and rescue officials on Monday had concluded their operations with the recovery of one more body.

"The search and rescue operation has concluded. A total of 26 people died in the accident, and 4 are injured. The injured have been sent to Higher Centre for their treatment," said Uttarakhand Police.

The accident took place between Damta and Barnigad, which is around 70 km from Yamunotri Dham at around 7.15 pm after the driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel. The officials informed them that this was his third trip without a rest.

Besides the driver and the helper, there were 28 passengers on board.

Four injured people are under treatment while the death count has risen to 26 with the recovery of one more body late in the night, Uttarkashi District Disaster Management Officer Devendra Patwal said.

Pulling out the bodies and looking for survivors in the night was a challenge for the police and State Disaster Response Force personnel, officials in Uttarkashi said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reached Dehradun on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday to take stock of the relief operation pertaining to the bus accident of pilgrims from Panna dist in Uttarakhand`s Uttarkashi district. After his arrival in the hill state, Chouhan held a meeting with the officials and took stock of the situation.

Earlier, on Sunday, Chouhan had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for the injured in the bus accident of pilgrims.