NEW DELHI: At least seven people were killed and around 20 others injured after a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus fell into a gorge near the Maseran area of Sarkaghat sub-division in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district on Thursday morning. The accident site is about 60 kilometres from the district headquarters.
According to initial reports, the mishap may have been caused by a road cave-in triggered by heavy rainfall, which led the bus to veer off the road. The region has been witnessing intense monsoon activity, severely affecting road conditions and increasing the risk of such incidents.
Naresh Chauhan, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, confirmed the fatalities. "This is a tragic incident. Around 20-25 people have been injured, and seven people have died. Our condolences are with the families." he said, as quoted by ANI.
"The administration is providing all possible assistance. Everyone is engaged in the rescue, the injured are being sent to hospitals, and the entire administration is on the job. The injured have been sent for treatment," he added.
Several of the injured are said to be in critical condition and are receiving treatment at Sarkaghat Hospital.
Rescue and relief operations are underway, led by SP Mandi Sakshi Verma and supported by local police and emergency response teams.
The bus accident comes amid ongoing monsoon devastation in the state. Himachal Pradesh has been facing a severe weather crisis, with the total death toll due to monsoon-related incidents rising to 137.
According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), as cited by ANI, this includes 77 deaths caused by rain-related events such as landslides, house collapses, and flash floods, and 60 fatalities resulting from road accidents worsened by adverse weather conditions.
Authorities have urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel in vulnerable areas and to strictly follow safety advisories issued by local administrations. Disaster response teams remain on high alert as the situation unfolds.
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