A gruesome road accident that claimed at least five lives and injured more than 15 others was sustained Tuesday morning in which a passenger bus plunged into a deep gorge in the Kalsi region, in Dehradun district. At the time of the tragedy, the HRTC bus which was operating in the state of Himachal Pradesh had approximately 32 people on board and was going toward Paonta Sahib from Chaupal-Nerwa at the time.
The Failure of the Embankment Causes Disaster
The accident occurred at approximately 10:00 AM near Sudoi Khad, on remote Kwanu-Minas Motor Road. Initial reports are that the bus driver was preparing to yield to another truck headed for the narrow stretch the bus driver was going on when the road embankment collapsed. Unable to regain control of the situation, the bus rolled several times and fell almost 200 feet into a rocky ditch.
Local villagers were the first to arrive at the site, crawling on the treacherous ground to drag people from the rubble before the police arrived.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand | A bus carrying passengers falls into a gorge in the Kalsi area of Dehradun district; Teams of SDRF are present at the accident site are carrying out search and rescue
— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2026
(video source: SDRF) pic.twitter.com/QmCG06wXus
SDRF and Local Authorities on High Alert
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) from Dakpathar, Chakrata, Mori, and Tyuni were called to the scene to assist after receiving the distress call.
- Casualties: As early as early afternoon, the toll climbed to 5 deaths (2 women included), with reports confirming 3 deaths on the morning of the disaster.
- Injuries: Over 15 passengers have suffered life-threatening injuries. They are currently being treated at Vikasnagar and Kalsi medical centers.
Chief Minister’s Response: Air-Lift Orders Issued
Pushkar Singh Dhami the Uttarakhand Chief Minister expresses his deepest condolences and is personally checking the situation from the state capital. The CM on social media platform X said he notified the District Magistrate to ensure that the victims receive the best possible care. “On a war footing, relief and rescue operations have started by the district administration and the police.
All medical centers around the area have been maintained in extreme alert. We will airlift any seriously wounded passengers who come in need to AIIMS Rishikesh or special medical centers in Dehradun,” the chief minister said. Himachal Pradesh Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri has also worked with the Uttarakhand Govt. to send HRTC officials from Shimla and Sirmaur to help kin of victims.
Tough Topography Hampers Recovery
The rescues continue to be difficult, given the incline of the gorge and the remote site of the accident. Police officials said the cause of the accident itself (whether it was just a condition of the road or mechanical failure) will be determined once a formal technical investigation is done. The search for any other passengers is still underway as of Tuesday afternoon.
