Himachal: 13 Dead As Bus Falls Into Gorge In Kullu. PM Modi Calls Accident 'Heart-Rending'

Kullu Bus Accident: A private bus fell into a gorge in Himachal's Kullu district leading to 12 deaths. PM Narendra Modi approved an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.

The school bus was en route from Kullu to Sainj on Neoli-Shansher road in Sainj valley when the accident took place. 

New Delhi: Thirteen passengers were killed and two others injured after a private bus fell into a 200-foot deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district on Monday, PTI reported. The school bus was en route from Kullu to Sainj on Neoli-Shansher road in Sainj valley when the accident took place. 

Twelve of the 13 dead have been identified as Tanu, Prem Chand, Fateh Chand, Anita Devi, Susheel Kumar, Khim Dasi, Roshi Devi, Parvati Devi, Jhablu Devi, Amit Kumar Rajak, Aaksh and Rakhi Maya. The injured were admitted to the Kullu regional hospital for treatment.

Elaborating about the situation, Himachal Pradesh Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said, "The road is good but there was a landslide this morning at the particular spot. Admin, MLA Surender Shourie, Kullu Deputy Commissioner are present at the spot. Attempts were made to get the bus out of there, but it fell into a cliff-leading to the casualties."

The road is good but there was a landslide this morning at the particular spot. Admn, MLA Surender Shourie, Kullu Dy Commissioner are present at the spot. Attempts were made to get the bus out of there, but it fell into a cliff-leading to the casualties: Himachal Pradesh Minister pic.twitter.com/45fk9h3zO4

— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2022

Earlier, DC Kullu Ashutosh Garg had informed that the incident happened around 8 am. The injured were shifted to local hospitals while teams from Kullu moved to the accident spot.

Himachal Pradesh | The school bus was enroute from Kullu-to Sainj on Neoli-Shansher road in Sainj valley. Death numbers may rise. Rescue underway, incident happened around 8 am. School kids also believed to be travelling in the bus. More details awaited: DC Kullu Ashutosh Garg

— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his response about the accident calling it "heart-rending": "The bus accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh is heart-rending. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected."

The Prime Minister has approved an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the tragic bus accident in Himachal Pradesh. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 each.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2022

As per the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi has approved an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the tragic bus accident in Himachal Pradesh. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 each.

Expressing condolences for the bereaved, Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed that the NDRF (NDRF) will also participate in the rescue operations. "I convey my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the bus accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. I have spoken to the Himachal administration, the rescue operation is going on at full speed. NDRF is also going to reach the spot soon. I wish the injured a speedy recovery," he wrote in a tweet.

कुल्लू, हिमाचल प्रदेश की बस दुर्घटना में जिन लोगों ने अपनों को खोया है उनके प्रति संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ।

मैंने हिमाचल प्रशासन से बात की है, बचाव कार्य पूरी गति से चल रहा है। NDRF भी शीघ्र ही घटनास्थल पर पहुँचने वाली है।

घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूँ।

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 4, 2022

Meanwhile, Himachal Chief Minister Jairam Thakur informed that the "administration is present at the spot."

कुल्लू की सैंज घाटी में एक निजी बस के हादसे का दुखद समाचार मिला।

पूरा प्रशासन मौके पर है,घायलों को अस्पताल ले जाया जा रहा है।

ईश्वर इस घटना में दिवंगत आत्माओं को शांति प्रदान करें और शोकग्रस्त परिवारजनों को संबल प्रदान करें।

ईश्वर से कामना करता हूं कम से कम लोग हताहत हुए हों।

— Jairam Thakur (@jairamthakurbjp) July 4, 2022

"I received news about the private bus accident in Sainj valley of Kullu. The entire administration is present at the spot and the injured are being taken to the hospital. I pray to God to give peace to the departed souls and strength to bereaved families," he wrote in a tweet in Hindi.