A devastating bus accident in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district has resulted in the death of 14 passengers, prompting the state's deputy chief minister to order a high-level investigation. The tragic incident occurred near Haripurdhar on Friday afternoon, leaving several others injured.
Magisterial Probe Initiated Into Tragic Crash
In response to the fatal crash, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who also holds the transport portfolio, has directed a magisterial inquiry to ascertain the exact cause. Sirmaur's Deputy Commissioner, Priyanka Verma, visited the accident site on Saturday and confirmed the formation of a committee to conduct an in-depth investigation.
The probe panel will be headed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and will include a mechanical expert and a police representative. The committee has been instructed to submit its findings within 15 days.
Overloaded Bus Plunges Into Gorge
The accident involved a private bus with a seating capacity of 39 that was reportedly carrying nearly 75 passengers—almost double its limit. The bus was en route from Shimla to Kupvi via Rajgarh when it veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge.
Many of the passengers were returning to their native villages to celebrate a traditional festival. Among those injured were the bus owner's son, daughter, and niece, highlighting the personal tragedy intertwined with the larger catastrophe.
Rescue, Treatment, and Local Concerns
Following the crash, an immediate rescue operation was launched. The injured were rushed to multiple medical facilities for treatment. Patients are currently receiving care at:
- Nahan Medical College
- Rajgarh Civil Hospital
- Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla
Some critically injured individuals have been referred to the advanced PGIMER in Chandigarh for specialized treatment. A few patients with less severe injuries were discharged from Nahan Medical College on Saturday.
Local residents who witnessed the accident have pointed to possible frost on the road near Haripurdhar market as a potential factor that may have caused the driver to lose control. However, authorities have stated that the definitive cause will only be confirmed upon completion of the official inquiry.
Political leaders, including Vinay Kumar, the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president and local MLA from the Shri Renukaji assembly constituency, also visited the accident spot on Saturday to assess the situation and interact with the affected locals.
