- Monday, May 05, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
AT LEAST 15 people, many of whom were schoolchildren, were killed after a bus fell into a gorge in Kullu in India’s Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh on Monday (4) morning. Many were injured. The death toll was expected to rise more.
Kullu deputy commissioner Ashutosh Garg said the ill-fated vehicle, which was badly damaged in the accident, was going to Sainj when it fell into the gorge near Jangla village in Sainj Valley around 8.30 am local time. District officials and rescue teams reached the spot, he said, adding that the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Road accident in the jungle of #Sainj valley of #Kullu, About 16 people including school children have died in the accident. There are reports of 35 to 40 passengers in the bus. Death toll may increase, Rescue work has started. pic.twitter.com/PgsGOrpMlu
— Nikhil Choudhary (@NikhilCh_) July 4, 2022
“The school bus was en-route from Kullu-to Sainj on Neoli-Shansher road in Sainj valley. Death numbers may rise. The rescue operation is underway,” Garg was quoted by saying by Asian News International.
At least 40 passengers were on board the bus, official sources said.
The Indian prime minister’s office tweeted that the kin of those killed in the accident would be given a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each.
“The Prime Minister has approved an ex-gratia of ₹ 2 lakh (£2,089) 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 ₹ 50,000 (£522) each,” it said.
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
The bus accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh is heart-rending. In this tragic hour 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: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2022
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur expressed grief over the tragedy. He asked his top state official to personally supervise the relief and rescue operations, the chief minister’s office said. A magisterial probe has also been ordered into the incident, Thakur said.
He also added that Rs 5 lakh (£5,223) would be given to families of those killed in the accident. The injured would get an immediate assistance of Rs 15,000 (£157) besides free treatment.
