Shimla: Eighteen people were killed and 29 others injured when a Kullu-bound private bus fell into the Beas near Mandi on Saturday. The accident occured barely 2km away from Mandi, on Chandigarh-Manali national highway. The Himachal Pradesh government has ordered a probe into the accident even as police registered a case.
The ill-fated bus with over 50 passengers on board was travelling to Kullu from Mandi when it veered off the road. Sources said it fell into the Beas near Brindavan after breaking a concrete parapet on the roadside while trying to avoid a motorcyclist.
While 14 passengers died on the spot, three others succumbed at Mandi zonal hospital, and one while being taken to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGCMH), Shimla.
District administration officials took the injured to hospital for treatment and summoned drivers from Sundernagar to retrieve the bodies from the river. Locals also joined the officials in carrying out the rescue work.
Himachal Pradesh transport minister G S Bali said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. The inquiry team -- district sub-divisional officer (civil), regional transport officer, HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) divisional manager, and HRTC regional manager (technical) -- has been asked to submit its report within 15 days.
Bali also announced a financial assistance of Rs 1 each to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 25,000 each to those seriously injured, and Rs 5,000 each to those who sustained minor injuries as immediate relief. This amount will be in addition to relief provided under the Relief Manual. Police have also registered a case and started investigation. During the past 10 years until last year, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed 29,555 road accidents across the state.
The ill-fated bus with over 50 passengers on board was travelling to Kullu from Mandi when it veered off the road. Sources said it fell into the Beas near Brindavan after breaking a concrete parapet on the roadside while trying to avoid a motorcyclist.
While 14 passengers died on the spot, three others succumbed at Mandi zonal hospital, and one while being taken to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGCMH), Shimla.
District administration officials took the injured to hospital for treatment and summoned drivers from Sundernagar to retrieve the bodies from the river. Locals also joined the officials in carrying out the rescue work.
Himachal Pradesh transport minister G S Bali said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. The inquiry team -- district sub-divisional officer (civil), regional transport officer, HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) divisional manager, and HRTC regional manager (technical) -- has been asked to submit its report within 15 days.
Bali also announced a financial assistance of Rs 1 each to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 25,000 each to those seriously injured, and Rs 5,000 each to those who sustained minor injuries as immediate relief. This amount will be in addition to relief provided under the Relief Manual. Police have also registered a case and started investigation. During the past 10 years until last year, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed 29,555 road accidents across the state.