Bus falls into gorge in Raigad, kills 33

A school bus carrying 34 passengers fell into a 500 metres deep gorge in Raigad district of Maharashtra on Saturday, killing 33 passengers.

The bus was carrying 34 staff members of Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth in Dapoli town, and fell into a gorge at Ambenali Ghat near Poladpur town, said District Collector Vijay Suryavanshi.

As per reports, the group was on their way to Mahabaleshwar in Satara district, for a picnic when at around 12:30 pm, the driver lost control of the vehicle and the unfortunate accident occurred.

Raigad Guardian Minister Ravindra Chavan shared the details of the accident, stating that only one passenger had survived the fall and that the accident was the driver's fault. The Maharashtra government also announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and offered to bear the medical expenses of the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences over the incident through a tweet, "Pained by the loss of lives due to a bus accident in Maharashtra's Raigad district. My condolences to those who lost their loved ones."

A National Disaster Response Force team has also been called to the scene where they are assisting in pulling the bodies from the bus. A team of 15 doctors and a dozen ambulances are also present on the spot.