12 Dead as School Bus Falls Into Gorge in Kullu, PM Modi Announces Compensation

The bus rolled off a cliff in the Jangla area of Sainj valley on Neoli-Shansher road of Kullu district.

As many as 12 people, including schoolchildren, have been killed as a private bus fell into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/ Vikas Singh Sai)

At least 12 people, including schoolchildren, died as a private bus fell into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district at around 8 am on Monday, 4 July.

Initial reports had suggested that 16 passengers were killed.

The bus rolled off a cliff in the Jangla area of Sainj valley on the Neoli-Shansher road of Kullu district. The injured are being shifted to local hospitals, and teams from Kullu have been moved to the spot, Deputy Commissioner Kullu Ashutosh Garg was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Garg added that the school bus was going from Kullu to Sainj on Neoli-Shansher road in Sainj valley and stated that the death toll may rise.

At least 40 students were on the bus when the accident took place, the officials said. Rescue operations are underway at the site.

'Heart-Rending': PM Modi Tweets, Announces Ex Gratia Sum

Meanwhile, speaking on the accident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said 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."

He also announced an ex gratia sum of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the kin of the deceased.

Himachal Chief Minister Jairam Thakur also tweeted his condolences to the families of the bereaved in a tweet.

Home Minister Amit Shah paid his condolences to families of the victims. He also stated that an NDRF team would reach the location soon.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were among the others who expressed their condolences on social media.

"The news of death of local people including children in a terrible bus accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh is very sad. I wish speedy recovery of the injured and pray for the departed souls. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families," said Rahul Gandhi in a Facebook post.