Shimla: At least 18 people were on Monday killed
and over 30 others injured when a state transport bus plunged
into a deep gorge near Danoh, 5 km from the district
headquarters of Bilaspur.
The Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation bus,
carrying over 60 passengers, with a large number of them
travelling on the roof, was on its way from Bilaspur to Bandla
when the tragedy struck, Deputy Commissioner, Bilaspur, Ritesh
Chauhan said.
18 bodies were recovered while some more were feared
trapped under the wreckage, he said. Most of the deceased, who
were yet to be identified, were migrant labourers and efforts
were on to identify the local victims.
The rescue operation was hampered due to poor visibility,
SP, Santosh Patial, who reached the spot along with the Deputy
Commissioner, said.
Eye witnesses said the toll could rise as at least 15
people were critical while some bodies were fear trapped or
scattered along the hillside.
The injured were rushed to district hospital at Bilaspur
while the seriously injured were being referred to Shimla or
Chandigarh.
Governor Urmilla Singh condoled the death of the bus
passengers, while Chief Minister P K Dhumal expressed deep
shock and grief over the accident and conveyed his condolences
to bereaved family members.
The Chief Minister also directed the district authorities
to provide immediate relief and medical aid to the injured.
PTI
First Published: Monday, October 24, 2011, 22:55