15 killed as bus falls into gorge in Shimla

SHIMLA: Fifteen passengers were killed and nine injured as a bus rolled into a 700-metre deep gorge in Rampur area of Shimla on the Hindustan-Tibet National Highway, about 140 km from here, today.

The bus carrying about 40 persons was on its way from Reckong Peo in Kinnaur to Nauni in Solan. According to police, the toll is expected to rise.

Rescue operations are in full swing and SDM Mithun Jindal and DSP Deva Singh Negi are on the spot.

The injured have been admitted to the civil hospital at Khaneri, Shimla District Commissioner Rohan Chand Thakur said.

So far 15 bodies have been recovered, police said.

The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained and a case has been registered by the police.

The NDRF has been rushed to the spot to supervise relief and rescue operations.