Shimla: At least 20 persons were reportedly killed and seven injured when a HRTC bus fell into 400m deep gorge near Katarghat on Basantpur-Kingal highway.
The bus was on its way from Shimla to Savera Khad in Sunni area of the Shimla district.
The injured have been taken to the IGMC Shimla, where condition of the seven injured was stated to be serious.
Officials have rushed to the accident site and with the help of local people have launched the rescue operation.
Though, there is no official word on the cause of the accident, but as per the eyewitness, the ill bus had failed to negotiate a sharp curve.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh visited IGMC and enquired about the condition of the injured persons. He asked the hospital administration to provide all possible medical help to the injured.
He also asked the Shimla district administration to conduct the relief and rescue operations on a war footing.
Transport Minister G.S Bali has expressed grief over the accident and ordered magisterial and technical enquiry in to the accident.
Another HRTC bus accident was also reported near Mihana of Balson region of Theog Tehsil. HRTC Bus HP-03B-6125 was coming from Janahan to Shimla and had 55 passengers in the Bus. Three injured have been referred to IGMC Shimla.
