7 killed, 11 injured after bus skids off road in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba
At least seven passengers were killed, and 11 others sustained severe injuries after the driver lost control of a private bus, causing it to skid
At least seven passengers were killed, and 11 others sustained severe injuries after the driver lost control of a private bus, causing it to skid off the road and plunge onto a lower road in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday morning. The accident took place around 7:15 am near Chalunj Mor, on the Bairagarh-Tissa road. The private bus had left Bairagarh for Chamba when the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating the treacherous mountain stretch. The bus then fell onto another road below, police said. Read Full Story The accident occurred on the 27-kilometre Bairagarh-Tissa mountain route in the remote Churah Valley, a challenging stretch known for its narrow roads and steep drop-offs.
The route also serves as a key approach to the high-altitude Sach Pass. According to police, the screams of passengers alerted residents, who rushed to the spot and informed the authorities. Rescue operations were subsequently launched, with personnel from the Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, Home Guards, Fire Services and the Revenue Department taking part in the operation. Vijay Saklani, a senior cop from Chamba district, told PTI that the exact number of passengers travelling on the bus was not yet known. Police said the death toll could rise further as some passengers may still be trapped or buried under the wreckage of the bus.
Of the 11 injured passengers, six who suffered serious injuries have been referred to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College and Hospital in Chamba for treatment. The remaining injured passengers are also being provided medical attention. Local Pradhan Mandhi Rana said rescue operations were underway at the accident site, with teams continuing to search the wreckage for survivors and victims. Police said an investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances that led to the accident. Preliminary information indicates that the driver lost control of the bus near Chalunj Mor before the vehicle plunged from the road.
The accident comes amid a challenging monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh, with rain frequently disrupting road connectivity and increasing the risk of landslides and road accidents in the state's mountainous districts. According to police data, 78 people have died in road accidents across Himachal Pradesh during the ongoing monsoon season between June 30 and August 7. Ends
The BriefWire