Seven Dead, 11 Injured as Bus Falls onto Road Below in Chamba’s Churah; Magistrate Probe Ordered.
Shimla:
Seven people, including the driver and conductor of a private bus, were killed and 11 others injured when the vehicle plunged onto a road below after skidding off the Bairagarh–Chamba road at Chalunj Mor in Churah subdivision of Chamba district on Saturday morning.
The accident took place in Patwar Circle Bairagarh when the bus was travelling from Bairagarh towards Chamba. The vehicle reportedly lost control near the Chalunj bend, skidded off the road and overturned before landing on the road below.
The crash left several passengers trapped underneath the mangled vehicle, prompting an immediate rescue operation by local residents and emergency teams. Heavy machinery, including backhoe loaders, was brought in to lift the overturned bus and rescue those trapped beneath it.
The injured were evacuated from the accident site and shifted to nearby health facilities for medical treatment. Officials said some of the injured were in serious condition.
Seven victims identified
The deceased have been identified as Jagdev Sharma (50), son of Dharam Singh; Des Raj (35), son of Trilochan; Tej Singh (39), son of Pyare Lal and the bus conductor; Jagdei (24), daughter of Hari Lal; Hardei (43), wife of Jagdev; Neelam (34), wife of Moti Singh; and Roop Singh (35), son of Radha Ram and the bus driver.
Most of the victims were residents of Bahla, Devi Kothi and other parts of Churah.
The injured have been identified as Karan Singh alias Sahil (18), Sushmita (32), Priyanka (5), Harshu (4), Pano Devi (41), Kavya (11), Dhanni (40), Dharmo Devi (62), Aprat Mangal (11), Neha (10) and Vijay Kumar (34). Sushmita is a resident of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, while the remaining injured are from Churah and surrounding areas.
Administration orders magisterial inquiry
The Chamba district administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the accident to establish the circumstances and possible causes behind the crash.
ADM Chamba Amit Mehra has directed the SDM, Churah, to conduct the inquiry and submit a detailed report within a week. The investigation will examine the circumstances leading to the accident, possible contributing factors and other aspects related to the incident.
Officials have been instructed to complete the probe within the stipulated time and with due seriousness so that appropriate action can be taken on the basis of the findings.
The administration has also directed the Tehsildar, Churah, to ensure that revenue officials visit the affected families and facilitate the disbursement of relief assistance available under government norms.
CM Sukhu directs officials to assist victims’ families
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and directed the district administration to extend all possible assistance to the families of the victims.
He also instructed officials to ensure that those injured receive immediate and proper medical care and wished them a speedy recovery.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, the Chief Minister said the state government stood with them in the difficult hour and prayed for peace for the departed souls and strength for their families.
PM Modi expresses condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the deaths in the Chamba bus accident.
He expressed sadness over the loss of lives and extended his thoughts to the families who lost their loved ones. He also wished an early recovery for those injured in the accident.
Another tragedy on Churah’s dangerous roads
The accident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of commuters travelling through the difficult terrain of Churah. The area is characterised by narrow mountain roads, steep slopes and sharp bends, increasing the risks associated with public transport and other vehicles.
The tragedy comes just months after another fatal accident in Chamba district. In May, eight people, including seven tourists from Bengaluru and their driver, were killed after their vehicle plunged into a deep gorge along the Bairagarh–Sach Pass road.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over road safety, passenger transport and the need for stricter safety measures on the district’s mountainous roads.
The magisterial inquiry is expected to shed further light on the circumstances that led to Saturday’s accident.
