Seven dead, several injured in Himachal Pradesh bus accident; PM Modi condoles
New Delhi, August 8
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday condoled the lives lost in the road accident near Chalunj Mor in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district and prayed for the recovery of the injured.
Seven people were killed, and 11 were injured after a private bus skidded off the road and met with an accident at 7.15 am under Patwar Circle Bairagarh, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
"The loss of lives due to a mishap in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. May those injured recover at the earliest," the Prime Minsiter's Office posted on X.
Earlier today, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and instructed the district administration to make proper arrangements for the treatment of the injured.
Sukhu posted on X, "The news of the demise of 7 people and injuries to 11 others in the bus accident near Chaluj Morh on the Tisa-Bairagarh route in Chamba district is extremely heartbreaking. I extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragic accident. May God grant a place at His divine feet to the souls of the departed and bestow strength upon the bereaved families to bear this immense sorrow."
"Instructions have been issued to the district administration to ensure that all the injured are immediately admitted to the nearest hospitals and proper arrangements are made for their treatment. I pray to God for the swift recovery of all the injured," he added.
Chamba Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Dinesh Sharma said, "We received information about this accident at 7:15 AM today. A private bus that was coming from Bairagarh to Chamba met with an accident just after covering 5 kilometers. There were a total of 18 people on board, out of which 7 died on the spot. The other 11 injured individuals were sent for treatment with the help of local people. Postmortem of the deceased is being conducted. Further enquiry is ongoing."
Meanwhile, in the wake of heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, Meteorological Centre Shimla Director Shobhit Katiyar warned the public of slippery roads, reduced visibility and damaged structures as well as agricultural and horticultural crops.
Katiyar advised people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers, streams and landslide-prone areas. He also urged farmers and horticulturists to take preventive measures to protect their crops.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Such sad news to wake up to. The weather advisory was already out about heavy rainfall, yet these private buses continue to operate carelessly. I hope the administration takes strict action and ensures proper inspection of vehicles before they ply on these routes. My prayers for the injured.
Heartbreaking to see such accidents. Living in the mountains comes with its own risks, but proper infrastructure and timely alerts can definitely save lives. Condolences to all affected families.
This is really unfortunate. I've traveled on the Chamba route many times during monsoons, and the roads become dangerously slippery with poor visibility. The district administration should consider temporarily suspending bus services in such extreme weather conditions. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. 🙏
So sad to hear this news. Our mountainous states need better road safety infrastructure especially during monsoon season. The government should also consider making seat belts mandatory for all buses, not just private cars. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected families.
Tragic! But I also want to point out that we need to question the safety standards of private bus operators. How often are these buses checked? Do drivers get proper rest? The locals helped the injured, which shows the spirit of humanity, but we need systemic changes to prevent such incidents. Grief for the departed souls.
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