Tragic Bus Accident in Himachal Pradesh Claims Lives of Seven
Fatal Incident in Chamba District
File image of accident site(Photo: @GemsHimachal/X)
Shimla, Aug 8: A devastating accident occurred on Saturday when a private bus plunged into a gorge approximately 100 feet deep along the Tissa-Bairagarh route in Chamba district, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to 11 others, according to police reports.
The majority of the deceased were local residents traveling to Chamba town, including both the driver and the conductor. Those injured have been transported to a hospital in Tissa for treatment.
Initial reports indicate that the bus was carrying around 20 to 25 passengers at the time of the incident.
Vijay Saklani, the Superintendent of Police for Chamba, stated that the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, and authorities will look into the circumstances surrounding the event.
Following the accident, chaos erupted at the scene as local residents initiated rescue efforts prior to the arrival of official teams. The situation improved significantly once police and administrative personnel arrived to assist.
Reports suggest that the bus, operated by Sharma Travelers, left Bairagarh for Chamba around 6:30 a.m. It had only traveled three kilometers when the driver lost control near the Chaluj turn, causing the bus to skid off the road and tumble into the gorge.
The vehicle landed on the road below the accident site. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the driver lost control while navigating a turn, leading to the bus rolling down the hillside.
Rescue teams faced significant challenges in extracting victims from the severely damaged bus.
Chamba is known for its remoteness, and the limited availability of passenger buses often results in overcrowding, exacerbating safety concerns.
Authorities have frequently attributed many fatal accidents in the state to the reckless behavior of private bus operators and their inadequately trained drivers.
The location of this incident has gained a reputation for being accident-prone, having witnessed several similar incidents in recent times.