13 dead as private bus falls into gorge in Kullu

Kullu, July 4

Thirteen persons were killed and two injured after a private bus fell into a gorge near Jungla village on the Shainshar-Sainj road in the district this morning.

The bus was on its way from Shainshar to Kullu. The spot had witnessed a landslide. When the driver tried to negotiate a hairpin bend, he lost control of the bus and it fell into the gorge.

Kullu Deputy Commissioner Ashutosh Garg said three ambulances and medical teams were rushed to the spot. Fire brigade teams from Largi and Banjar, besides Home Guard and NDRF teams assisted in the rescue operations, he said.

The deceased were identified as Tanu, Prem Chand, Fateh Chand, Anita Devi, Sushil Kumar, Khimdasi, Roshi Devi, Parvati Devi, Jhablu Devi, Amit Kumar, Akash, Rakhi and Sanjay Kumar. The injured were driver Mahender Singh (33) of Rota and conductor Gopal (40) of Shangcha. They were provided first-aid at a nearby hospital and were later referred to the Regional Hospital, Kullu. CM Jai Ram Thakur visited the spot and ordered a magisterial inquiry by Kullu ADM into the incident. He announced Rs 5 lakh each for victims’ kin and Rs 15,000 each and free treatment for those injured. PM Modi offered condolences to the bereaved families. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for victims’ kin and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Landslip-hit area

• The bus was on its way from Shainshar to Kullu
• A stretch on Shainshar-Sainj road was hit by a landslide
• When the driver tried to negotiate a sharp bend, the bus fell into gorge

Probe ordered

Kullu ADM will probe the incident. An ex-gratia grant of Rs 5 lakh each will be given to the next of kin. Jai Ram Thakur, CM