52 killed, 46 injured as bus falls into gorge
The
mishap took place near Rajera, 8 km from the district headquarters of
Chamba, when the bus driver lost control over the vehicle after a tyre
burst and it fell into the 250-feet- deep gorge, police said.
The
42-seater bus, on its way to Chamba from Dulera, was carrying over 100
passengers with large number of them travelling on the roof of the
vehicle when the tragedy struck, they said.
As many as 39 people, including the driver, died on the spot, while 13 succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
"All the bodies have been recovered," Chamba Deputy Commissioner Sunil Chowdhary said.
The injured were rushed to a hospital in Chamba where the condition of 12 are stated to be critical.
Himachal
Assembly Speaker Tulsi Ram and local MLA B K Chauhan rushed to the spot
and supervised the relief and rescue operations.
Of
the total relief of Rs 1 lakh each announced for the family of the
deceased, the district administration distributed immediate relief of Rs
10,000 each to the next of the kin of the victims, while the seriously
injured were provided medical aid and relief of Rs 5,000 each.
A magisterial enquiry has been instituted to ascertain the cause of the accident, officials said.
Chief
Minister P K Dhumal has expressed grief over the tragedy and directed
the local administration to provide relief to the victims.
Comments
Post a Comment