Himachal Tragedy: 5 Dead, Over 20 Injured as HRTC Bus Falls into Gorge in Mandi
Mandi, July 24: A Himachal Roadways (HRTC) bus fell into a 150-meter-deep gorge near Maseran on the Sarkaghat–Durgapur road in Mandi district this morning, killing five people — including three women, a youth, and an elderly man — and injuring over 20 others.
What happened
The bus was en route to Durgapur when the driver reportedly lost control on a sharp bend. The overloaded bus rolled down the hillside with around 35 passengers on board.
Rescue
Locals, police, and emergency services rushed to the spot. The injured were pulled out from the wreckage and rushed to Sarkaghat Civil Hospital, while three critical patients were referred to AIIMS Bilaspur.
DSP Sanjeev Gautam confirmed the casualties. SP Mandi Sakshi Verma said a probe has been launched to ascertain the cause — including checking the driver’s condition, bus fitness, and road safety lapses.
Need for Attention
The accident exposes the poor condition of hill roads, lack of crash barriers, and the risks of overcrowded public transport in Himachal’s rural areas, especially during monsoon.
