At least 36 people have died and several others have been injured after a bus fell into a 50-meter-deep gorge in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand.

The accident occurred in Marchula, a hilly area in the Almora district, where officials say the driver lost control of the vehicle, which was carrying 44 passengers.

Uttarakhand’s state government has launched an inquiry into the accident.

Buses serve as the primary mode of transport in the mountainous state, where road accidents are a recurring issue due to challenging terrain and crowded roads.

The bus was en route to the Ramnagar district when it careened off the road on Monday morning.

Photos and videos from the scene showed the mangled bus overturned at the bottom of a hill. Several passengers were reported dead on the spot, while survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals.

Rescue operations are ongoing as local residents and officials work together to retrieve survivors.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the families of the victims, announcing financial aid of 200,000 rupees (about $2,378 or £1,834) for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees for those injured.

Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also promised support for the victims and their families.

With approximately 160,000 fatalities annually, India leads the world in road accident deaths, a situation attributed to factors like speeding, overcrowding, and inadequate safety standards—problems that are especially prevalent in rural and mountainous regions.