At least 14 people were killed and 31 injured when a State Roadways bus veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge at Jogindernagar in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday night.
The bus carrying over 50 passengers was proceeding to Rekong Peo in Kinnaur when the accident took place. Some of the injured were admitted to the hospital at Tanda and PGI Chandigarh in critical condition, police said.
Officials, including the DM and SSP of Mandi, and Jogindernagar MLA Gulab Singh reached the spot quickly but rescue operations were hampered by darkness.
The accident happened when the bus driver attempted to overtake a tourist bus on a narrow road that suddenly caved in, said the conductor, who was being treated for injuries.
The families of each of the dead were given Rs. 10,000 and the injured Rs. 5,000 as immediate assistance, officials said. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered by the State Transport Minister, G.S. Bali.
