Twelve people were killed and three others injured after a bus fell into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district on Monday, officials said. Initial reports had put the death toll at 16. The bus was on its way to Kullu from Shainsher when it fell into the gorge at a hairpin bend near Jangla village around 8.30 am.
The dead have been identified as Tanu, Prem Chand, Fateh Chand, Anita Devi, Susheel Kumar, Khim Dasi, Roshi Devi, Parvati Devi, Jhablu Devi, Amit Kumar Rajak, Aaksh, and Rakhi Maya.
Injured Mahender Singh, Sanjay Kumar, and bus conductor Gopal have been admitted to the Kullu regional hospital for treatment. The president and the prime minister have condoled the loss of lives in the accident. President Ram Nath Kovind said he was distressed to learn about the death of students and other people in the accident. Condoling the loss of lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who died. The injured will be given Rs 50,000 each, the Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also expressed grief over the tragic bus accident.
Thakur said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered and the Kullu ADM will probe the whole incident. He said Rs 5 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each dead whereas Rs 15,000 will be provided as immediate relief to each injured and free treatment will also be given to the injured persons.
Later, he visited the accident site near Shainshar in Sainj Valley of Kullu District and enquired about the bus accident from the administration. He condoled the family members of the victims and assured every possible assistance to them, adding that financial assistance has been announced for the next of kin by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and State Government.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said he was distressed to learn about the death of students and other people in the bus accident and offered his condolences to the bereaved families. "Extremely distressed to hear about the news of a private bus accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. May god give strength to the families who lost their loved ones. I also pray for the safety and recovery of those rescued," Mann tweeted.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also expressed his condolences to bereaved families and said he was devastated by the news. "Praying for recovery of all injured and to grant eternal peace to the departed souls. My profound condolences to bereaved families,'' Singh tweeted.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also condoled the bus victims. "Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic bus accident in Sainj valley of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh. My condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured,'' Badal said in a tweet.