Shimla: As many as five persons, including two women, were killed on the spot while 24 others were injured, five of them seriously, when a private bus fell into a 150 feet gorge near a curve in Darlaghat in Solan district, 45-km from here on Saturday evening. The ill-fated bus, carrying about 50 passengers, was on its way from Chirgaon in Rohroo area of Shimla district to Mandi when the tragedy struck. “The bodies of the victims have been recovered while injured persons have been shifted to Darlaghat hospital.

Seriously injured persons have been rushed to the IGMC, Shimla, for treatment,” said Solan Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar. The Sub Divisional (SDM) Magistrate, Arki has reached the spot with teams to carry out relief and rescue operations. The interim relief would be given to the next of the kin of the deceased and injured persons, said the SDM. The deceased are yet to be identified. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained. As per eye witnesses, over speeding could have led to the accident. Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh have expressed grief over the mishap. The Chief Minister directed the administration to provide all possible assistance to the victims. Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal and state BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti have also expressed their sorrow over the mishap.

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