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23 dead in HP mishap
Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 21
At least 23 persons, including six women, were killed and 20 others injured when a private bus rolled down into a gorge near village Rohtrung in Sangla area of Kinnaur district on Thursday.

The ill-fated bus carrying 43 passengers was on its way from Sangla valley to Kalpa when the tragedy struck.

“While 16 persons died on the spot, six others succumbed to injuries on way to hospital. A person died at Karchham helipad while he was being airlifted to Shimla,” Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner DD Sharma said.

Seventeen seriously injured passengers have been admitted to the Indira Gandhi Medical College at Shimla, while three others with minor injuries were undergoing treatment at a local hospital. The police were assisted by the Army, ITBP and Home Guards in the rescue operation. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the accident. Expressing grief over the tragedy, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh visited the IGMC and met the injured.