5 lives lost and more that 25 injured in Mandi bus tragedy
In a heartbreaking incident on Thursday morning, a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus veered off the Sarkaghat-Jamni-Durgapur road and plunged into a 150-meter-deep gorge near Maseran Talgara in Mandi district. The accident claimed five lives—three women and two men—and left 25 others injured, turning a routine journey into a devastating ordeal.
The bus, registered as HP-28-A-3717, was en route from Jamni to Sarkaghat when it met with the tragic mishap around 10 a.m. Preliminary reports suggest the driver may have lost control at a sharp turn, causing the vehicle to tumble into the forested ravine below.
Local villagers and police sprang into action, launching a rescue operation that saw them pulling injured passengers from the mangled wreckage, which had become lodged between trees. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and anguish, with cries for help echoing through the gorge.
SP Mandi Sakshi Verma confirmed the casualties and stated that three of the injured are in critical condition and have been referred to AIIMS Bilaspur, while others are receiving treatment at Sarkaghat Hospital.
Sarkaghat MLA Dalip Thakur, who visited the injured, voiced serious concerns about the lack of basic medical infrastructure. “There is neither an ultrasound machine nor an ambulance at the hospital. I will raise this matter in the assembly,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for healthcare improvements in the region.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and directed the district administration to ensure proper care and support for the injured. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri rushed to Sarkaghat to oversee the situation firsthand.
As rescue and relief efforts continue, the community mourns the lives lost and rallies around the survivors, hoping for their swift recovery and calling for safer roads and better emergency services.
