Himachal Pradesh: 28 killed, 9 injured as bus plunges into 700-metre gorge near Rampur, Shimla

At least 28 passengers were killed and nine injured after a bus plunged into a 700-metre gorge in Himachal Pradesh, ANI reported.

[caption id=“attachment_3770277” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of  Virbhadra Singh. News18[/caption] The reportedly accident took place at Rampur, near Shimla on the Hindustan-Tibet National Highway. The bus carrying about 40 persons was on its way from Reckong Peo in Kinnaur to Nauni in Solan. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. However, preliminary investigations said a tyre burst led to the accident. Bodies of all 28 victims have been recovered and 11 of them have been identified. The deceased included 18 men, Nine women and a child. Four of the seriously injured persons have been referred to IGMC Shimla and four other were undergoing treatment at Civil Hospital, Khaneri. The government has announced immediate relief of Rs 10,000 has been given to the next of kin of the deceased. Additional district Magistrate Suneel Sharma is at the spot supervising relief and rescue operations. A CISF team is on the spot while a NDRF team from Sunni is on way to Rampur. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh expressed grief over the accident. He also directed the concerned officials to ensure all possible help.

Several political leaders offered condolences and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured:

With inputs from PTI