Total 16, Including School Students, Killed As Bus Falls Into Gorge In Himachal Pradesh's Kullu

A private bus fell into a deep gorge in Sainj valley in Kullu!

Early on Monday morning, At least 16 people, including school children, were killed when suddenly a private bus fell into a deep gorge in Sainj valley of Himachal Pradesh's Kullu, officials said.

Kullu Deputy Commissioner Ashutosh Garg said the Sainj bound bus fell into the gorge near Jangla village.

The incident took place around 8 AM. There were nearly 45 passengers in the bus. Several of them were badly injured in the accident.

The location of the mishap is located nearly 60 km from the district headquarters. Rescue operations are underway and three injured have been rescued so far.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the accident "heart-rending" and offered his condolences to the bereaved families. Today morning, He also announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 for the wounded.

"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," the Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet.