Chamba: About a dozen passengers are feared dead in a bus accident in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh.
First reports reaching the district headquarters stated that a private coach Rana Bus (No HP-48-3321) coming from Sanghni Salooni to Chamba met with an accident at Kundi, today, about 50 Km from Chamba.
Ten persons were feared to have died on the spot and more causalities during rescue and relief operations are not ruled out.
About 20 injured persons are said to have been admitted in the Primary Health Centre in Salooni and Zonal Hospital  Chamba town.
About 5 private vehicles carrying the injured have managed to shift some seriously injured to the Zonal hospital in Chamba.
The bus is said to have left Salooni for Chamba at 2.30 p.m. and it met with the accident at about 3.45.
Details are awaited.
Update 6.45 p.m.
Toll mounts to 18, 25 injured
Shimla: Himachal Government Release
Smt. Prabha Rau, Governor and Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister have expressed deep shock and anguish over bus accident which took place near Salooni in Chamba district today. As many as 18 passengers lost their lives and 25 were injured in the fatal accident.
Governor, Smt. Prabha Rau and Chief Minister, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal have expressed deep sympathies to the families of the deceased. In their condolence messages they prayed the God to give peace to the departed souls and strength to the family members of the deceased to bear this irreparable loss.
Chief Minister has directed the district administration Chamba to provide all possible help to the injured and provide immediate relief to the families of victims. He also directed to provide the required medical aid to the injured.
Shri Tulsi Ram, Speaker, H.P. Vidhan Sabha, all the Ministers and MLAs of Chamba district have also expressed their grief over the accident.
Shri Mohinder Singh, Transport Minister has directed the district administration for holding immediate inquiry into the accident.
According to the information reaching headquarters Shimla the accident took place at around 2.30 pm in Chamba district near Kundi village of Salooni area. The ill-fated bus belonged Rana Bus Service and was on its way from Sanghni to Chamba. The injured have been referred to Regional Hospital Chamba.
District administration has provided Rs. 10,000 as immediate relief to the dependents of deceased and the relief is also being provided to the injured.
Update 8.05 p.m.
Chamba bus accident total death toll reached 23 till now.
Salooni bus accident all 18 dead has been identified at Salooni primary health center:
1.Khem Raj,44 year, Surangani.
2.Bishu,35 year, Surangani
3.Rajkumar, Bhalai village.
4.Tajveej,Baror, chamba
5.shakati,40 year,Manjeer.
6.Aaditya,5 year, kihar.
7.shobhia ram 44 Bhandal.
8.ramesh kumar, 34 Dhnai,
9.jagdish chand 35 dhigai,salooni.
10.taijia,6 year.Manjeer
11.ajgar,14 year,Sarol,chamba.
12.rekha, 7 year, rolka, salooni,
13. shibu 50 year sach chamba.
14.Aarushi, 17 year Sarol.
15. chimnoo, 55 surangani.
16. Arun 6 year Talai kilod.
17.Taru, 4 year,kandla.
18.shivani,7 year, kandla.
