Himachal Pradesh bus accident: Death toll rises to 14; PM Modi announces ex-gratia of Rs 2L

NEW DELHI: At least 14 people were killed and several 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, as reported by ANI.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. According to police, the private bus was carrying around 30–35 passengers when it met with the accident on a narrow road in the remote Haripurdhar area of Sirmaur district.Videos circulating on social media show local residents and passersby rushing to the spot and helping rescue injured passengers from the mangled bus before emergency teams arrived.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.Expressing grief over the accident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured."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 Rs. 50,000: PM," PMO said in a post on X.President Droupadi Murmu also mourned the deaths and said on X: "I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured individuals."Union minister JP Nadda expressed grief calling the incident "extremely heartbreaking." He said he had asked BJP state president Rajeev Bindal and leader of the opposition Jairam Thakur to closely monitor relief and rescue operations."I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray to God that He grant strength to the grieving families during this difficult time," he added.Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also expressed deep concerns and extended condolences to the victims' families. In a post on X, Sukhu said, "The news 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.Local residents were among the first to reach the spot and helped rescue injured passengers before emergency teams arrived. Several injured passengers have been admitted to nearby hospitals, with some referred to higher medical centres due to the severity of their injuries.Industry minister and local MLA from the Shillai assembly segment, Harshwardhan Chauhan, said the district administration had been put on alert and medical teams at Dadahu, Sangrah and Nahan hospitals were prepared to handle the emergency. He said the cause of the accident was yet to be ascertained and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.