A tragic road accident took place near the Kunjapuri–Hindolakhal stretch in the Narendra Nagar area of Uttarakhand’s Tehri district on Monday. A bus carrying nearly 28 people, mostly pilgrims from Gujarat and Delhi, tumbled into a gorge almost 70 metres deep while heading towards the Kunjapuri Temple.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) confirmed that five people have died, and 23 others suffered serious injuries. The injured passengers have been taken to AIIMS hospitals for urgent treatment.

Soon after the accident, the District Magistrate, police teams, and SDRF units reached the site. SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi said that five rescue teams were sent from nearby posts to help pull out passengers and manage the situation.

Police are also controlling traffic in the area while rescue and relief work continues. Officials are trying to find out what caused the bus to slip into the gorge.

Authorities have said that the number of deaths may increase as some passengers are in critical condition. The accident has left the region shaken, once again showing how dangerous roads in Uttarakhand’s hilly areas can be.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami shared his grief over the loss of lives, saying he was praying for the families of the victims. He assured that the injured are receiving quick medical care and that serious cases have been shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh.

He also noted that he is in regular contact with officials at the spot.

In a separate accident in Tamil Nadu’s Tenkasi district, at least six people were killed and over 30 were injured when two private buses collided head-on near Kamarajapuram, Idaikal.

Rescue teams, along with police, are clearing the wreckage using bulldozers. A large crowd has gathered at the site, where both buses are badly damaged.