Chamba: Seven people were killed and 11 others injured after a private bus overturned and plunged off a mountain road in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district on Saturday morning, police said.
The accident took place around 7:15 am on the Bairagarh-Tissa road, when the bus reportedly skidded off the hilly stretch and fell onto a lower road. The vehicle suffered extensive damage in the crash, leaving several passengers trapped and injured.
Rescue teams, police personnel and local residents rushed to the spot after the accident. The injured passengers were pulled from the damaged bus and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities are assessing the condition of those injured, while further details about their identities were awaited.
The exact cause of the accident has not yet been established. Police have begun an investigation and are examining the circumstances that led to the bus losing control on the mountainous road.
The accident comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face difficult monsoon conditions. Heavy rainfall has affected road connectivity across the state, with numerous roads blocked or disrupted because of landslides, falling debris and other weather-related incidents.
Officials are also examining whether weather and road conditions played any role in Saturday’s crash. The Bairagarh-Tissa route passes through mountainous terrain, where driving conditions can become particularly challenging during periods of heavy rain.
The tragedy has prompted condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The leaders expressed grief over the loss of lives and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident.
The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by passengers travelling on Himachal Pradesh’s steep and winding mountain roads, particularly during the monsoon season. Road accidents in the state can quickly turn fatal because of difficult terrain and limited access to emergency services in remote areas.
Authorities are expected to conduct a detailed assessment of the accident site and determine whether any safety or road-related factors contributed to the crash. As rescue and relief operations continue, the focus remains on providing medical care to the injured and completing the formalities for those who lost their lives. Police said further information would be released as the investigation progresses
The Chamba accident is among the latest serious road tragedies reported in Himachal Pradesh during the ongoing monsoon, once again putting the spotlight on road safety and the need for extra caution on vulnerable mountain routes.
