Five killed, 25 injured as HRTC bus falls into gorge in Mandi
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Mandi, July 24,
In a tragic accident on Thursday morning, a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus plunged into a 150-meter-deep gorge near Maseran Talgara on the Sarkaghat-Jamni-Durgapur road in Mandi district, leaving five people dead and 25 others injured. The bus, bearing registration number HP-28-A-3717, was en route from Jamni to Sarkaghat when the mishap occurred around 10 am.
According to SP Mandi Sakshi Verma, the deceased include three women and two men. She confirmed that 25 passengers sustained injuries in the accident, out of which three critically injured have been referred to AIIMS Bilaspur. The remaining are being treated at Sarkaghat Hospital.
Initial reports suggest the driver may have lost control of the vehicle at a sharp turn, leading to the accident. Local villagers and police immediately launched a rescue operation and helped extricate the injured from the mangled remains of the bus, which got stuck between trees in the forest below the road.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic, as injured passengers lay scattered in the gorge. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained and a detailed investigation is underway.
Sarkaghat MLA Dalip Thakur, who visited the injured at the local hospital, expressed concern over the lack of basic medical facilities. “There is neither an ultrasound machine nor an ambulance at the hospital. I will raise this matter in the assembly,” he said.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed the district administration to ensure proper treatment and assistance to the injured. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has rushed to Sarkaghat to take stock of the situation.
Relief and rescue efforts are continuing.
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