Bus Carrying 31 Falls Into Gorge in Maharashtra’s Raigad, 30 Dead

Rescue operations were called off after 24 hours when all bodies were recovered after the accident in Maharashtra

A private bus carrying 31 people fell 400 feet into a gorge in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on Saturday, 28 July.

The number of casualties isn’t clear yet as rescue operations are underway, but the number is likely to be high as the bus fell about 400-500 feet into a gorge.

A police official to The Quint right after the accident

Only one person survived the fall. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Pune finished an almost 24-hour-long rescue operation on 29 July that recovered 30 bodies from the wreckage.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of the deceased in the accident.

“Victims were employees of Agricultural University, going on a picnic. We'll provide help to kin of deceased, but will also take steps to ensure such incidents don't take place in future,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

Pained to know about the loss of lives in Mahabaleshwar bus accident.Administration taking all efforts to provide required assistance.
Senior officials&emergency management systems in place.
My thoughts are with families who lost loved ones&prayers for speedy recovery of injured.

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) July 28, 2018

The Maharashtra government on 29 July announced it would provide jobs to one dependent from the victims’ families, ANI reports. The Shiv Sena has also pledged Rs 1 lakh to each family.

Guardian minister of Raigad Ravindra Chavan said that the bus fell into a 500-feet gorge due to driver error.

“The bus fell in a 500-feet gorge due to fault of the driver. Only one passenger has survived. We are trying to recover the bodies,” Chavan told ANI on 28 July.

The bus belonged to Dapoli Krushi Vidyapeeth, an agricultural university.

Its passengers were travelling to Mahabaleshwar from Ratnagiri in Maharashtra for a picnic.

At about 11:30 am, the driver reportedly lost control while making a sharp turn, causing the bus to fall into the gorge.

Raigad police officials said that several rescue teams of policemen from Poladpur police station and Mahabaleshwar rushed to the spot.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to offer his condolences to the victims’ families.

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: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 28, 2018

Congress President Rahul Gandhi also appealed to his party workers to provide assistance to those affected, saying:

I'm sorry to hear about the terrible bus accident in Raigad, Maharashtra in which a large number of people have been killed and many others injured. I appeal to Congress party workers in the area to provide all possible assistance to the injured & families of those who have died.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 28, 2018

President Ram Nath Kovind also offered his “thoughts and prayers”.

Extremely saddened to learn about the tragic bus accident in Raigad, Maharashtra. Rescue efforts are on to help affected people. Thoughts and prayers with the bereaved families and with those injured #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 28, 2018