Shimla, October 29
At least 20 persons were killed and one injured when a maxi-cab fell into the Satluj river near Purbani in Kinnaur district today.
The private coach (HP-01-1879) was on its way from Pooh to Rekong Peo. According to reports received here, the vehicle hit a truck coming from the opposite direction before plunging 1000 feet down into the river.
Those killed included two women and two children. So far 16 bodies have been recovered from the river and search was
on for more. The coach was reportedly overloaded and there were over 20 persons on board. Kalsing, a local commuter, was rescued from the river. He was referred to IGMC hospital, here, in a serious condition.
Seven bodies have been identified so far. The deceased included four persons from Sarmah village in Haryana.
They are Kusumlata, Ankit, Shiv Kumar and Kamal Kumar. The remaining three were identified as Kapoor Singh of Kinnaur, Dhangu Ram of Sundernagar and Sanjay Kumar of Pangi village in Kinnaur.
The district officers, including the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and a medical team were on site to carry out rescue and relief
operations. Mr Chet Ram Negi, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, also visited the scene of accident.
