At least 36 killed after rickety & overcrowded bus plunges into 200ft gorge in India as footage shows mangled wreckage

AT LEAST 36 people have died in a horror crash after a bus plunged 200ft into a gorge in India.

The rickety and overcrowded bus was carrying around 60 passengers on board before its deadly fall with harrowing footage showing the mangled wreckage.

The tragic accident took place in the Almora district of Uttarakhand with many remaining passengers left badly injured.

Only 42 people were said to be able to fit on the bus but officials say 60 people were on board at the time of the crash.

A number of passengers managed to escape the wreck and miraculously ran to safety in the deep gorge.

The bus was reportedly in a very poor condition and unfit to travel, according to Uttarakhand official Vineet Pal.

He added that two transport officials have since been suspended for allowing the bus on the roads.

Pictures from the bottom of the gorge show the bus was smashed as it violently landed on the rocks.

The front of the motor was crushed inwards as locals rushed to the crash site to search for survivors.

The bus was on its way to the state's Ramnagar district when the driver lost control this morning.

The state government has ordered an investigation into the crash.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent his condolences to the families of the victims.

He also announced he would be sending out compensation packages of 200,000 rupees (£1,834) for the families.

Those wounded will also be able to claim 50,000 rupees (£458).

A number of fatal bus crashes have taken place in India in recent months.

In July, a tourist bus lost control and plunged down a gorge in a horrific road accident.

The crash, caught on camera by an onboard passenger, killed two children and severely injured 20 others.

It comes after four people, including a one-year-old, died after a tourist bus plunged 40ft into a gorge in India.

Thirteen people were injured when the driver lost control of the vehicle near Mankulam in the state of Kerala.