Private bus falls into gorge in Himachal’s Sirmaur, 14 killed
En route from Shimla to Kupvi, the privately operated bus met with an accident near Haripurdhar while carrying around 40 to 50 passengers. Rescue teams rushed to the spot soon after the crash, and the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
New Delhi: At least 14 people were killed after a private bus fell into a deep gorge in the Haripurdhar area of Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, officials said.
The bus was travelling from Shimla to Kupvi when it met with the accident near Haripurdhar. The vehicle reportedly skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge.
The bus was privately operated and was carrying around 40 to 50 passengers at the time of the incident. Rescue operations were launched soon after the accident and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
PM announces ex-gratia
PM Modi extended condolences to the family and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the deceased.
"The loss of lives due to a bus mishap in Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, is extremely saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
The number of fatalities is likely to increase as several passengers suffered critical injuries in the crash.
Nishchint Singh Negi, Superintendent of Police, Sirmaur, confirmed the deaths and said rescue efforts were ongoing. "Eight people have died so far in the bus accident, and the toll may rise. There were around 30–35 passengers in the bus. Police and other rescue teams are working to evacuate the injured,” he told ANI.
Local villagers were among the first responders and assisted in pulling out injured passengers before emergency services reached the site. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, with several shifted to higher medical facilities due to the seriousness of their injuries.
A case has been registered and an investigation has been initiated to find out what caused the crash.
Renukaji MLA and State Congress president Vnay Kumar wrote in a social media post, "We have just received the very sad news that a serious road accident involving a Jeet Coach bus has occurred in Haripurdhar. This incident is extremely painful and saddens us all. We pray for speedy recovery for all the injured. The Congress family stands with the victims in complete sympathy and solidarity during this time of grief".
He added, "I humbly appeal to all Congress workers in the Haripurdhar zone to immediately reach the site of the incident and work shoulder to shoulder with the administration to fully cooperate in the relief and rescue efforts. It is our moral responsibility to stand with the victims and their families in this difficult time."