19 killed in bus mishap at Tehri

At least 19 persons were killed and 23 injured when the bus in which they were travelling feel into a deep gorge near Ghansali in Tehri district of Uttarakhand on Sunday.

According to district officials, the accident occurred around 9 a.m. when the driver of the bus lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a sharp curve. The vehicle was on its way to Ghansali from Guttu in the district. While 17 persons died on the spot, two succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.

Administrative and police officials have rushed to the spot to supervise the rescue operation. A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered into the accident.

“We have managed to recover 13 bodies while another five are still trapped under the vehicle. Efforts are on to recover the bodies,” said Tehri district magistrate G.S. Joshi.

The DM added: “Eight of the 23 injured are serious and have been rushed to Dehradun for specialised treatment."

The rest have been admitted to government hospitals in Srinagar and Rishikesh.

Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri has announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 each to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 25,000 to those seriously injured and Rs 5,000 to those with minor injuries.

With agency inputs