Sirmaur bus tragedy: Death toll climbs to 14; PM, State leaders condemn the incident
Shimla/Nahan, Jan 10,
The death toll in the catastrophic bus accident near Haripurdhar in Sirmaur district has risen to 14, as critically injured passengers succumbed to their wounds during treatment, police confirmed. Rescue and relief operations continue amid tightening scrutiny of road safety in the treacherous hilly terrain.
A private 39-seater passenger bus, reportedly carrying over 45 passengers, veered off a winding mountain road on Friday afternoon and plunged into a deep gorge of around 500 feet near Haripurdhar. The vehicle was on its scheduled run from Shimla to Kupvi via Rajgarh when the accident occurred at a sharp curve known for its icy patches and narrow stretches.
Local residents were the first on the scene, braving steep slopes and chilling conditions to pull out survivors from the wreckage. Police, emergency response teams and district administration officials later reinforced the efforts. The injured — many in critical condition — were transported to Nahan Medical College, Solan Civil Hospital, and nearby health centres for treatment.
Sirmaur Superintendent of Police Nishchit Negi confirmed that many of the injured are still undergoing treatment, and authorities are verifying passenger manifests to finalize casualty counts.
Leaders express grief, announce aid
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the accident as “extremely saddening” and announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. President Droupadi Murmu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, and other leaders also expressed condolences and urged swift relief measures.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed the district administration to ensure comprehensive medical care and support for the affected families, while reviewing the situation with senior officials.
Safety concerns and inquiry ordered
Preliminary statements from police and eyewitnesses indicate the bus may have lost control due to skidding on icy surfaces at the sharp mountain bend, but the exact cause is still under investigation. Road safety activists and residents have renewed calls to urgently assess and reinforce safety measures on the dangerous Haripurdhar stretch, notorious for accidents during winter months.
Local authorities have launched a detailed inquiry into the incident, while rescue teams continue operations along the gorge to recover any missing passengers and clear the site.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.