11 killed, 54 injured in a bus accident near Shimla

Poor road conditions and rains spelt disaster killing at least 11 people and injuring around 54 in a bus accident at Chopal in Shimla district on Tuesday.

Poor road conditions and rains spelt disaster killing at least 11 people and injuring around 54 in a bus accident at Chopal in Shimla district on Tuesday.

HT Image

The ill-fated state roadways bus was on its way from Shimla to Pehlog when the accident occurred around 4pm near between Dhawas and Nakora about 120kms from Shimla.

According to sub divisional magistrate (SDM) Chopal, Krishan Chand, the 37 seater overcrowded bus rolled down a 200 mt deep gorge killing 5 persons on the spot.

An immediate relief of Rs 10,000 has been given to the kin of the deceased by local administration he added.

He said that a team of doctors was rushed to the accident site along with police and home guard jawans to provide first aid to the injured and to monitor the relief and rescue operations.

Over 45 injured were admitted to government hospital Nerwa and Community Heath Centre (CHC) Chopal.

Those in a critical condition are being shifted to Indira Gandhi Medical College as advised by the doctors, Shimla, he revealed.

Eye witnesses said that the overcrowded bus that had around 60 passengers lost control while reversing to give pass to another vehicle.

The area had been witnessing intermittent rain since afternoon said the eyewitness.

Expressing grief over the accident, Transport Minister G S Bali has ordered a magisterial probe to ascertain the cause of the accident.

He also directed the Director Transport to release Rs. one lakh as ex-gratia relief to the kin of the deceased.