Tragedy in Sirmaur: Bus Plunges into Gorge, 12 Lives Lost, Dozens Injured
A quiet Friday afternoon turned into heartbreak near Haripurdhar in Sirmaur district, when a private bus carrying 45 passengers from Shimla to Kupvi veered off the road and rolled nearly 100 meters into a gorge. The accident claimed 12 lives and left 33 passengers injured, sending shockwaves across Himachal Pradesh.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, visibly shaken by the tragedy, said: “Twelve people have died and 33 passengers were injured in the bus accident… The district administration has been directed to carry out immediate rescue operations and ensure proper treatment for the injured.”
As news spread, local villagers rushed to the site, pulling survivors from the wreckage and helping authorities shift the injured to hospitals. Their courage and quick response became a lifeline in those critical first moments.
Rescue efforts were supervised by Industries Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan at Nahan, while the injured were taken to Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital in Shimla and Nahan Medical College. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri also reached the spot, offering condolences and assuring families of full support.
Leaders across party lines, including former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and HPCC President Vinay Kumar, expressed grief and solidarity with the bereaved families.
For the families who lost loved ones, the accident is an unimaginable blow. For the survivors, it is a painful reminder of life’s fragility. And for the state, it is a call to strengthen road safety measures in its hilly terrains, where one slip can change lives forever.
