MANDI, India (Diya TV) — At least two people died and around 25 others were injured after a passenger bus veered off a rain-slicked road and crashed into a 200-meter-deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district on Tuesday.
The incident occurred near Patrighat in the Sarkaghat area amid heavy rainfall that has battered parts of the state. According to police, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which was carrying approximately 35 passengers at the time.
Eyewitnesses said the bus rolled several times before coming to a stop at the base of the gorge. Rescue operations began swiftly, with local villagers and police joining forces to reach the wreckage. Two bodies were recovered from under the debris, while 25 others were pulled out alive, many with serious injuries.
Rescue efforts were hampered by continuous rain and treacherous terrain. Volunteers and emergency teams used ropes and makeshift stretchers to reach victims. The injured were transported to Nerchowk Medical College, about 20 kilometers from the crash site, where they are currently receiving treatment. Several passengers sustained fractures and deep cuts; a few are in critical condition.
“Initial reports indicate that the road’s sharp turns combined with heavy rainfall may have contributed to the accident,” said the Sarkaghat Superintendent of Police. An FIR has been filed, and an investigation is underway to determine whether mechanical failure or negligence played a role.
Authorities have also begun evaluating the stretch of road where the accident occurred. Plans are being made to install additional guardrails or safety barriers, given the high risk posed by inclement weather.
Temporary shelters and assistance have been arranged for stranded travelers. Senior district officials are expected to visit the site and meet the injured victims.
The Himachal Pradesh government has urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel in the hills until weather conditions stabilize, as landslides and slippery roads continue to pose a significant danger.
