India: Deadly bus crash in Uttarakhand (north) July 1

Event

A passenger bus crashed into a gorge in Uttarakhand state (Pauri Garhwal district; north) on Sunday, July 1, killing at least 48 people. The bus lost control and swerved off the road in a valley in the Himalayan region. The overloaded 28-seater bus fell into a 60-m (200-ft) gorge near the village of Queen. The bus had been traveling from Bhoan (Pauri Garhwal district) to Ramnagar (Nainital district).

Context

Bus and other road accidents are a regular occurrence in this developing South Asian country, due in large part to poor infrastructure and lax safety measures. In 2016, India recorded over 480,000 road accidents, leading to 150,000 deaths.

Advice

People present in India are advised to avoid travel by bus when possible. When necessary, opt for well-maintained vehicles equipped with seat belts.