A tragic accident in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmour district claimed seven lives on Friday after a private bus plunged into a deep gorge. The incident occurred near the Haripurdhar area, with authorities warning the death toll could rise as several passengers sustained grievous injuries.
Details of the Haripurdhar Bus Tragedy
The private bus was en route from Solan to Kupvi when it met with the accident around 3 pm. Nishchit Singh Negi, Superintendent of Police for Sirmour, confirmed that seven bodies had been recovered and were at the local Haripurdhar hospital. The bus was carrying an estimated 35 to 40 passengers at the time of the incident.
Local officials attributed the high passenger count to the upcoming Makar Sankranti festival, a major celebration in the region observed on January 14. "People preferred to celebrate this festival at their houses. It is one of the reasons why the bus was full of passengers," explained Joginder Singh Chauhan, Secretary of the Churdhar Seva Samiti Nauradhar.
Rescue Operations and Medical Response
Immediate rescue efforts were launched following the crash. Injured passengers were initially taken to a temporary medical facility set up at Nauradhar, approximately 10 kilometers from the accident site. After receiving preliminary treatment, many were referred to larger hospitals for advanced care.
Approximately 15 injured individuals were first brought to the Nauradhar local hospital before being transferred to facilities in Solan, Nahan, Paonta Sahib, and Shimla. The police have stated that the cause of the accident is still under investigation and has not yet been ascertained.
Political Reactions and Ongoing Efforts
The accident prompted expressions of grief from state political leaders. Congress state president Vinay Kumar described the news as "extremely distressing" and said it had shaken him deeply. Himachal Pradesh Industry Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan also conveyed his sorrow over the loss of life.
As of the latest reports, rescue operations are continuing at the site, with efforts focused on evacuating all injured persons. The community remains in shock as families await news of their loved ones following this devastating pre-festival tragedy.
