Chamba: At least 51 people were killed (18 women) Saturday when an overcrowded bus rolled down into a deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district, police said.
The private bus was going to Chamba town when it skidded off the road and fell into the 300-feet deep gorge near Rajera, some 10 km from the town.
“The rescue operation is still on. The injured have been admitted to hospital in Chamba,” Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Sharma said over phone from the accident spot.
Rescue workers said 32 people died on the spot while eight died while being taken to hospital.
Witnesses said the bus was overcrowded and the driver probably lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a turn. Most of the victims were from Chamba district.
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and leader of opposition Vidya Stokes expressed grief over the accident.
The spot of the accident is around 475 km from here. Chamba is one of remotest places in the state and scarcity and low frequency of passenger buses in the district leads to overcrowding of the vehicles.
– IANS
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by authors, news service providers on this page do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Hill Post. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.
Hill Post makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site page.
I have been in Chamba and to say low Frequency of buses can be one reason is absolutely unpatable. Rajera is nearby and in hills and to people it is not distance to be reckoned. We as people and adminstators as police/ RTO are failing in our duties to educate and take strict action against law breakers of road driving. No excuse please. Very very strict action is warranted.