Himachal Pradesh: 9 dead as private bus falls into 500-feet deep gorge in Sirmaur; CM Sukhu condoles death | India News

NEW DELHI: At least nine people were killed and 40 others were injured on Friday after a private bus veered off a mountain road and fell into a 500-feet deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, officials said.The bus was travelling from Shimla to Kupvi via Rajgarh when it lost control, fell into the gorge and overturned near Haripurdhar village, about 95 km from Nahan, news agency PTI reported. Officials said the toll could rise as several passengers are critically injured.

According to police, the bus was carrying around 30 to 35 passengers when the accident occurred on a narrow stretch of road in the remote Haripurdhar area. The vehicle reportedly lost control before plunging down the hillside, leaving the bus badly mangled.Superintendent of Police, Sirmaur, Nishchint Singh Negi confirmed the casualties and said rescue operations were under way. "Eight deaths have been reported so far in the bus accident. The death toll could increase. There were around 30–35 people on board. Police and other rescue teams are trying to evacuate the injured," he told ANI.

Local residents were among the first to reach the spot and helped rescue injured passengers before emergency teams arrived. The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, with some referred to higher medical centres due to the severity of their condition.Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep concerns and extended condolences to the victims' families.In a post on X, Sukhu said, "The news of the extremely tragic bus accident near Haripurdhar in Sirmaur district has left me deeply distressed and filled with sorrow.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives in this accident, and my full sympathy is with the grieving families."He said the district administration has been directed to provide all possible assistance to the families of the deceased and ensure the best medical treatment for those injured. "The affected families must receive full support during this difficult time," the CM said."I pray to God that the souls of the departed find peace, that the families are granted the strength to bear this irreparable loss, and that all the injured recover their health swiftly. We all stand together with the affected families in this hour of grief," he added.