Himachal Deputy CM Orders Probe Into Sirmaur Bus Accident That Killed 14

The Himachal Pradesh government has ordered a detailed inquiry into the tragic bus accident in Sirmaur district that claimed the lives of 14 people and left more than 50 injured.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who also holds the transport portfolio, said a probe has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the accident. He added that the administration acted swiftly and ensured that all injured passengers received timely medical care.

The accident occurred on Friday afternoon when an overloaded private bus, travelling from Shimla to Kupvi, lost control and plunged nearly 500 feet into a deep gorge near Haripurdhar village. The bus reportedly exceeded its permitted seating capacity of 39 passengers.

Officials confirmed that eight women were among the deceased. Many of the injured are being treated at Rajgarh Government Hospital, Nahan Medical College, and Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla, while critically injured passengers have been referred to PGI Chandigarh.

While the exact cause is yet to be established, locals suspect that frost on the road may have caused the driver to lose control, leading to the fatal crash. Authorities are examining factors such as road conditions, vehicle fitness, overloading, and possible negligence.

The incident has once again raised serious concerns over road safety, especially in hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh, where narrow roads and adverse weather conditions frequently contribute to fatal accidents.