In a tragic incident, at least 32 persons were killed and 14 others injured when a private bus (HP-66-1538) fell into Beas River at Jhiri, near Aut, about 35 km from here. The deceased included ten children. The bus was going from Kulu to Ani. The number of deaths could rise as the condition of some of the injured is very critical.
Rafting personnel operating nearby rushed to the scene of the accident and rescued many persons from the ill-fated bus which had turned turtle after falling in the deep water of Beas. later, the district officials, including Additional District Magistrate, Pankaj Rai, SP RS Negi and a team of doctors arrived on the spot. A crane was also called to lift the bus and take out the bodies stuck in it.
The cause of the accident could not be known immediately. According to eye-witnesses, the bus driver suddenly lost control on the vehicle which rolled into the swollen Beas. Mandi District Magistrate Devesh Kumar has ordered inquiry into the cause of the accident.
The injured persons were immediately rushed to the Civil Hospital at Kulu and the nearby health centres. The traffic on the National Highway remained disrupted for hours and the police had a tough time clearing the road.
Meanwhile, poor maintenance of roads that have developed huge potholes is a cause of concern for the tourists and all others related to travel business in Mandi, Kulu and Manali. At the very entrance of Himachal, the Swarghat-Bilaspur portion of NH 21 is in a deplorable condition. The abnormal size of potholes have not been repaired after the last rainy season. This is adversely hitting tourist traffic. Fed up with poor road conditions, many tourists are going to Manali via Shimla.
Health and Revenue Minister Thakur Kaul Singh expressed grief and shock and said all efforts would be taken to treat the injured.
leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal and BJP State president Satpal Singh Satti also expressed grief and conveyed their heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and have wished speedy recovery of the injured.
Expressing grief over the accident, Governor Urmila Singh and Chief Minister Virbhadra have conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.
The Chief Minister directed the district administration to provide all possible assistance to the victims and the kin of those who died in the mishap. He directed that relief and rescue operations be carried out on a war footing.