At least 36 people died after a bus fell into a canyon
At least 36 people were killed and many injured after a bus fell into a gorge in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.
Officials said there were 44 people on board when the driver lost control and the bus fell into a 50m-deep ditch in Marchula, in the state’s Almora district.
The state government has ordered an investigation into the accident.
Buses are the main means of transport in the Himalayan state and accidents are not uncommon.
The bus was on its way to Ramnagar district of the state when the accident occurred on Monday morning.
Photos and video from the scene showed the heavily damaged vehicle overturned at the foot of the hill.
Some passengers died on the spot, while the injured were taken to a nearby hospital. Rescue operations are still underway.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his condolences to the families of the victims.
He claimed compensation of 200,000 rupees [$2378; £1834] to the families of the dead and 50,000 rupees to the injured.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also announced financial assistance for the victims and their families.
Buses are a popular means of transport in India, especially between smaller towns and districts. However, operators often disregard safety regulations and crowd them beyond capacity.
About 160,000 people die in road accidents in India each year – the highest in the world – mainly due to speeding and careless driving.
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