Death toll rises to 13 after private bus plunges into gorge near Haripurdhar in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 9 (ANI): The death toll has increased to 13 people, including the driver, who were killed after a private bus en route from Shimla-Solan to Kupvi plunged into a deep gorge near Haripurdhar in Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Friday. The death toll may rise, as rescue and identification efforts are still underway.
Naresh Chauhan, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, said that according to the information received so far, the bus skidded off the road and fell nearly 100 metres into a gorge.
"As per the information available at present, this was a private bus going from Solan to Kupvi. Near Haripurdhar, the bus fell off the road and plunged about 100 metres into a gorge, resulting in the death of 13 people. The driver is also among those who lost their lives," Chauhan said. He added that the cause of the accident is being investigated.
"The cause of the accident is being probed. According to the police, so far 22 injured passengers have been shifted by police and administrative teams to different hospitals," he said.
Chauhan said, "Around 40 people were believed to be travelling in the bus, though the exact number may be higher. It is being reported that there were around 40 people in the bus. This number could be more, as some passengers who were safe may have gone to hospitals on their own or returned home immediately after the accident, and efforts are underway to identify all passengers and ensure proper medical care for the injured."
"Those who are injured are being provided treatment. The state machinery ensures medical facilities are available in hospitals during such incidents. Officers have reached the spot, and relief and rescue work is still in progress," Chauhan added.
Expressing condolences, he said, "The government expresses its condolences to all the bereaved families. Our first priority is to ensure that the injured receive immediate medical treatment and are taken to hospitals, and that formal confirmation of the deceased and injured is done after initial rescue operations."
"Immediately after such accidents, the priority is to treat the injured. After that, the bodies are handed over to the families after completing post-mortem formalities. The reason behind the accident will be established after a detailed investigation," he added.
He reiterated that 13 deaths have been confirmed so far, but the toll could increase as more information comes in. (ANI)