What Happened in Mandi? Bus Plunges into Gorge, Leaving One Dead

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- One person deceased and 20-25 injured in bus plunge.
- Accident occurred in Kalkhar area of Mandi.
- Driver reportedly lost control on slippery roads.
- Rescue efforts hampered by adverse weather.
- Investigation underway to determine crash cause.
Mandi, June 17 (NationPress) A devastating incident unfolded in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district on Tuesday morning when a passenger bus fell into a 200-feet deep gorge, tragically resulting in one fatality and injuring approximately 20 to 25 others.
The mishap occurred around 9 a.m. in the Kalkhar area while the bus was traveling from Baldwara to Mandi.
Preliminary reports reveal that one individual lost their life after being trapped under the bus. Local residents promptly alerted the authorities, leading to the swift arrival of police and rescue teams who began their relief operations.
Despite ongoing rainfall complicating rescue efforts, the injured were extricated from the wreckage and brought to safety with assistance from locals and police.
Those sustaining severe injuries were transported to Nerchowk Medical College, while others received care at the Community Health Centre in Rewalsar.
A crane was dispatched to recover the bus and rescue the driver, who had also become trapped.
Authorities suspect that the accident was caused by the driver losing control of the overloaded vehicle on the treacherous, rain-slicked road.
An initial investigation suggests that both the bus's poor condition and the driver's negligence may have contributed to the tragedy.
It was noted that the bus was exceeding its passenger capacity, despite adverse weather conditions and the notoriously rugged terrain of the region.
As the bus careened down the gorge, it overturned, burying several passengers beneath it.
Challenging weather conditions further delayed portions of the rescue operation.
The district administration has mandated an investigation into the incident to ascertain the precise cause of the crash. Inquiries are currently underway, and more information is expected soon.