Medical attention to injured is priority: Uttarakhand CM Dhami on Almora bus accident

New Delhi: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday assured all help to those injured in the bus accident in Almora in which at least 23 people were killed.
The Chief Minister said that his government's priority now is to the treatment of the injured, adding that hospitals have been given instructions.
"A bus fell into a deep gorge resulting in the loss of several human lives. Several people were injured, ambulances are being arranged there immediately to ensure that they get immediate medical attention...All officers have been directed to reach the spot," Dhami told ANI.
He said that strict action will be taken against officials if they are found negligent.
"A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Orders have also been given for suspension of people related to this incident. If there is any negligence, strict action will be taken. Our priority is medical attention to the injured, so all hospitals have been directed for the same. Chief Secretary is monitoring this. The government is standing with the injured as well as the bereaved families of the deceased," he said.
The accident took place when the bus fell into a gorge near Marchula in Almora district on Monday morning, said the police.
The Police headquarters spokesperson IG Nilesh Anand Bharne told ANI that more than 45 people were travelling in the bus at the time of the accident.
The bus was coming from Golikhal area to Ramnagar when the accident took place.
Upon receiving the information, relief and rescue operations have been started immediately and orders have been given to investigate the accident, said officials.
The police, fire and SDRF teams are working rapidly to evacuate the injured and take them to the nearest health centre for treatment.
Earlier, Chief Minister Dhami spoke to Secretary Disaster Management, Commissioner Kumaon Division and DM Almora over the phone on the bus accident. He gave instructions to speed up the rescue and relief work.
"Very sad news has been received about the casualties of passengers in the unfortunate bus accident that took place in Marchula of Almora district. The district administration has been instructed to carry out relief and rescue operations swiftly," Dhami posted on X.
"The local administration and SDRF teams at the accident site are working rapidly to evacuate the injured and take them to the nearest health centre for treatment. Instructions have also been given to airlift seriously injured passengers if required," he added.
He has directed to suspend the ARTO enforcement of the concerned area of Pauri and Almora. The Chief Minister also directed to provide assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs one lakh each to the injured.
The Chief Minister has directed the Commissioner Kumaon Division to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the incident, the CMO said.