At least 12 people were killed, including children, on July 4 after a bus they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge near Shainshar in Sainj of Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district.
The private bus was on its way from Shainsher to Kullu and fell into the gorge in which 12 people lost their lives and three others have been injured, according to a government statement. The bus was ferrying around 15 people.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur ordered a magisterial probe to ascertain the cause of the accident, which would be conducted by Additional District Magistrate, Kullu.
The relief and rescue work was in progress and the injured have been sent to a local hospital at Kullu. The Chief Minister has asked the Chief Secretary to personally supervise the relief and rescue operations.
PM Modi announces ex gratia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the accident. The injured would be given ₹50,000 each, said Mr. Modi in a tweet.
“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,” added Mr. Modi.
The Chief Minister said that ₹5 lakh would be provided to the next of kin of the deceased whereas ₹15,000 would be provided as immediate relief to each injured person. Besides, free treatment would also be provided to the injured
