16 including schoolchildren killed as bus falls into gorge in Kullu

At least 16 passengers including schoolchildren were killed after a private bus fell into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district on Monday morning.

Kullu Deputy Commissioner Ashutosh Garg said the Sainj-bound bus fell into the gorge near Jangla village at around 8.30 am.

District officials and rescue teams have reached the spot, he said, adding the injured were being taken to a nearby hospital.

Reports said at least 40 students were on board when the accident occurred.

Calling the incident “heart-rending” in a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia each for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the incident.

“The bus accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh is heart-rending. In this tragic hour my thoughts are with the bereaved families,” Prime Minister Modi was quoted as saying in a tweet by his office.

“I hope those injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected,” he said.

The Prime Minister has approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from Prime Ministers National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the tragic bus accident in Himachal Pradesh, the Prime Minister’s Office said in another tweet.

The injured would be given ₹50,000 each, it said.

(With inputs from agencies)