Chamba: A private bus met with a fatal accident on the Tissa-Bairagarh road in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district on Thursday morning, leaving at least seven passengers dead and 15 others injured.
The bus, identified as a Sharma Coach, was travelling from Bairagarh towards Chamba when it overturned near the Chalunj bend. According to police, the vehicle rolled down before coming to rest on a road below.
Chamba Superintendent of Police Vijay Kumar Saklani said the bus had left Bairagarh at around 7 am. The accident occurred shortly after its departure.
Locals join rescue operation
The crash triggered panic in the area, with eyewitnesses reporting screams and confusion immediately after the bus overturned.
Residents from nearby areas rushed to the spot after learning about the accident and helped police personnel in the initial rescue effort. The injured passengers were subsequently shifted to Tissa Hospital for medical treatment.
Around 25 people believed to be travelling
Preliminary information suggests that approximately 25 passengers were on the bus when the accident occurred. Authorities, however, are still working to establish the exact number of people who were travelling and assess the full extent of the casualties.
The remote location of the accident has made communication and rescue efforts more challenging. Administrative and police teams have been moving towards the accident site to coordinate relief operations.
Casualty figures may change
Officials said the final picture would become clearer after rescue teams and senior administrative officers complete their assessment at the spot.
With rescue and verification operations still underway, authorities have not ruled out changes in the casualty figures. The cause of the accident is also yet to be established, and further details are expected after the police investigation.