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Bus in India plunges into gorge killing 21

By Mike Bambach
Twenty-one people died when their bus fell 820 feet into a gorge near Dharasu, India. Seven people survived. Image courtesy of Google maps
Twenty-one people died when their bus fell 820 feet into a gorge near Dharasu, India. Seven people survived. Image courtesy of Google maps

May 24 (UPI) -- At least 21 people died when a bus plunged into an 820-foot gorge in Uttarakhand state, India, government officials said.

The accident occurred Tuesday night in Dharasu when the driver lost control of the bus, which fell into the gorge, said Trivendra Rawat, the state's chief minister. Seven people were injured.

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They were returning from Gangotri, a Hindu pilgrim town on the Bhagirathi River. Uttarakhand state is a popular religious destination, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

"A tire of the vehicle separated from the rim due to which the driver lost control over the bus and it fell into the gorge," said Ram Singh Meena, director general of Uttarakhand police.

Darkness hampered rescue operations.

"Teams have spotted the bus but are unable to climb down the hillside," he said.

In April, at least 44 people died when a bus skidded off a road and fell 820 feet into the Toms River in Himachel Pradesh state.

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