Nainital, Dec 25: In a tragic accident, three people were killed and several others injured as a bus carrying 27 people plunged into a 1,500-feet-deep gorge on the Bhimtal-Ranibagh road in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district on Wednesday.

The bus was en route from Almora to Haldwani when the incident occurred on the Ranibagh road.

Rescue operations were initiated immediately by the police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the fire department, with significant assistance from locals. However, the steep terrain has made the efforts challenging.

Using ropes, the rescuers and locals carefully aided the injured, carrying them on their shoulders to safety.

The injured were provided first aid before being rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bhimtal. Fifteen ambulances have been dispatched to Haldwani for further medical assistance.

As of now, 24 passengers have been rescued, and operations are still underway to ensure no one is left behind.

Videos of the incident show the bus was shattered on impact.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the accident and directed the local administration to ensure immediate relief and rescue operations.

Taking to social media platform X, Chief Minister Dhami stated, “The news of the bus accident near Bhimtal is very saddening. The local administration has been directed to carry out immediate relief and rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of all the travellers.”

Further updates on the incident and the condition of the injured are awaited as rescue efforts continue.

Last month, in a similar incident, at least 20 passengers lost their lives when the bus they were travelling in, was careened off the road and fell into a 200-metre-deep gorge in Almora district.

Among the victims were several children, heightening the tragedy of the incident.

The bus, transporting passengers from Garhwal to Kumaon, was reportedly overloaded at the time of the accident.

Jaipur, Dec 25: Three more individuals, including a severely burnt woman, succumbed to their injuries on Wednesday at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, taking the death in the Jaipur LPG tanker blast to 18.

Vijayata (22), a resident of Pratapgarh, passed away at around 4 a.m., and Vijendra (36) from Pawta (Jaipur) died at around 9:30 a.m. Later, Banshilal (35) also succumbed to his injuries at 1 p.m. Vijay and Vijendra had suffered 70 per cent burns. All three were Rajasthan natives, said officials.

Currently, 15 patients with severe burns are receiving treatment in the burn ward of the SMS Hospital.

The bodies of the deceased have been placed in the hospital mortuary and will be handed over to their families after post-mortem examinations conducted by a medical board. On Tuesday, two more victims, Naresh Babu from Etah (Uttar Pradesh) and Yusuf from Nuh (Haryana), passed away.

Dr Rakesh Jain, a plastic surgeon at SMS Hospital, confirmed that a total of 18 people have died so far. Following the deaths of two individuals on Tuesday, three more fatalities were reported on Wednesday– two in the morning and one in the afternoon. Among the victims were two men and a woman, he added.

One critically injured patient is currently on a ventilator, while 15 others remain under treatment. Additionally, five patients have been discharged — three on Monday and two on Tuesday, he said.

The accident occurred near Bhankrota on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway on December 20 in which four people were burned alive on the spot, while eight others died the same day during treatment at SMS Hospital. One death was reported at Jaipuria Hospital.

On Tuesday, police interrogated Jaiveer Singh, the driver of the LPG tanker involved in the accident. He revealed that the incident occurred when he made a U-turn to access the ring road at 5.44 a.m. A truck collided with his tanker from behind, leading to the blast. The police have also summoned Anil, the truck owner and a resident of Delhi, for questioning.

Jaiveer Singh recounted that he was alone in the tanker at the time of the accident. After realising the severity of the situation, he fled immediately. The gas leak ignited, creating a massive “ball of fire” that spread across the road. Singh managed to reach the ring road and informed the truck owner, Anil Kumar, about the incident before switching off his phone.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the blast and the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident.

Hyderabad, Dec 25: Actor Allu Arjun, producers and director of ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ have announced Rs 2 crore for the family of the woman who was killed and her son who was critically injured during the premiere show of the movie at Sandhya Theatre on December 4.

Allu Arjun’s father and well-known producer Allu Arvind made the announcement on Wednesday after meeting Sri Teja, who is undergoing treatment at KIMS Hospital.

Allu Arvind told media that the cheque was handed over to Dil Raju, chairman, Telangana State Film Development Corporation.

Allu Arvind said to support the boy and his family, the film unit decided to give financial assistance of Rs 2 crore.

While Allu Arjun has given Rs 1 crore, Mythri Movies, the producers of the movie have extended assistance of Rs 50 lakh. Film’s director Sukumar has also given Rs 50 lakh to the family.

Allu Arvind said they spoke to doctors and were happy to know that he is recovering.

Allu Arjun had announced Rs 25 lakh for the family two days after the incident. He had also assured all support to the family including treatment expenses of the boy.

Sri Tej’s father Bhaskar had said on Tuesday that he received a demand draft of Rs 10 lakh from Allu Arjun.

Bhaskar said that the actor’s manager is also in regular touch with the family to get updates on the boy’s condition.

The family is receiving support from both the Telangana government and Allu Arjun.

Bhaskar said Minister for Roads & Buildings and Cinematography Komatireddy Venkat Reddy gave them a cheque of Rs 25 lakh.

The boy’s father said after 20 days, they noticed some body movement.

“He also opened his eyes but did not recognise any of us,” he said.

A woman named Revathi died and her son Sri Tej was critically injured in the stampede at Sandhya Theatre.

Actor Allu Arjun was arrested in the case on December 13 and was released on interim bail the next day.

The Chikkadpally Police, which registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, interrogated Allu Arjun for more than three hours on Tuesday.