Himachal Pradesh: At least eight killed as bus falls off mountain in Sirmaur

New Delhi: In a tragic incident, at least eight people were reported to be killed after a private bus with more than 30 people on board slipped off a hilly road near in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district on Friday.

What do officials say?

According to officials, the bus was travelling from Kupvi to Shimla. The death toll is feared to rise as several passengers have been seriously injuries. Police officials told the media that the bus was carrying around 30 to 35 passengers at the time of the tragedy. The accident took place on a narrow stretch of road in the remote Haripurdhar area.

How did the accident happen?

The vehicle reportedly lost control before falling down the hillside into the gorge, leaving the bus badly mangled.

"Eight deaths have been reported so far in the bus accident. The death toll could increase. There were around 30–35 people on board. Police and other rescue teams are trying to evacuate the injured," Superintendent of Police, Sirmaur, Nishchint Singh Negi told the media.

Local residents were among the first to reach the spot and helped rescue injured passengers before emergency teams arrived. The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, with some referred to higher medical centres due to the severity of their condition.