A tragic road accident in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district claimed at least fourteen lives and left fifty-two others injured on Friday afternoon. The devastating incident occurred when a private bus, carrying passengers, veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge.
Details of the Haripurdhar Bus Tragedy
The 39-seater bus was en route from Shimla to Kupvi via Rajgarh when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The accident happened roughly 140 kilometres into the journey, near Haripurdhar. The bus tumbled down a hillside into a 500-metre-deep gorge, causing catastrophic damage.
Local residents were the first to respond, rushing to the scene to pull survivors from the wreckage before police and official rescue teams could arrive. Their swift action likely saved lives amidst the chaos.
Victims and Immediate Aftermath
Of the fourteen deceased, seven were women and two were children. Authorities have confirmed that one female victim remains unidentified. A majority of the victims, nine in total, were residents of Kupvi tehsil in Shimla district. The other victims hailed from various areas in Sirmaur district, including Ronhat, Dadahu, Nauradhar, and Haripurdhar.
The injured passengers were initially taken to hospitals in Dadahu and Sangrah for primary treatment. Those with more critical injuries were later transferred to better-equipped facilities at Nahan medical college and Solan civil hospital for advanced care.
Official Response and Investigation
Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri visited the Nahan medical college late Friday evening. He confirmed the death toll and stated that medical teams were providing urgent care as more victims continued to arrive.
Sirmaur Superintendent of Police Nishchint Singh Negi reported that police and local administration teams are fully focused on recovery and transport operations. Preliminary checks on the vehicle's documents revealed that the bus owner held all mandatory papers. Regional Transport Officer Sona Chandel confirmed the bus had a valid permit until July 8, 2029, a fitness certificate valid till February 14, and insurance coverage until February 12.
The accident drew condolences from the highest levels. President Droupadi Murmu described it as "extremely heartbreaking" and expressed her deepest sympathies to the bereaved families. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed district authorities to provide all possible assistance to the victims' families and ensure the best medical care for the survivors.
