At least 36 people died after a bus plunged into a gorge near Marchula in Uttarakhand’s Almora district on Monday, authorities said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.

“I extend my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the unfortunate road accident in Almora, Uttarakhand. I am also praying for the speedy recovery of all the injured,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

The PM announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased victim in the mishap. The injured will receive ₹50,000.

The bus, carrying over 45 passengers, was en route from Golikhal to Ramnagar when the tragedy occurred, Nilesh Anand Bharne, Inspector General of Police and spokesperson for Uttarakhand Police, told ANI.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that rescue and relief efforts were underway to assist the injured. He also announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those injured.

“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 said in a post on X.

“The local administration and SDRF teams at the accident site are working diligently to evacuate the injured and take them to the nearest health center for treatment. Instructions have also been given to airlift seriously injured passengers if required,” he added.

The Chief Minister’s Office has directed the Commissioner of the Kumaon Division to conduct an inquiry into the cause of the accident.