Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 24 (ANI): At least seven people were killed and several others injured after a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus met with an accident in the Maseran area of Sarkaghat, approximately 60 kilometers from Mandi district, on Thursday.
Naresh Chauhan, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, confirmed the fatalities and described the incident as tragic. “Around 20–25 people have been injured, and seven people have died. Our condolences are with the families,” he said.
“The administration is providing all possible assistance. Everyone is engaged in the rescue efforts, the injured are being sent to hospitals, and the entire administration is on the job,” Chauhan added.
Preliminary information suggests that the bus may have veered off the road due to a cave-in triggered by heavy rainfall in the region. The local administration and emergency response teams reached the site shortly after the accident to begin rescue and relief operations.
Authorities said a detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.
The incident comes amid relentless monsoon conditions that have pushed Himachal Pradesh into a state of crisis. The total death toll from monsoon-related incidents across the state has now reached 137, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
This figure includes 77 fatalities caused by rain-induced events such as landslides, house collapses, and flash floods, as well as 60 deaths resulting from road accidents aggravated by poor weather and hazardous driving conditions.
Restoration and relief operations are ongoing across affected districts. While conditions have improved in some areas, fresh disruptions continue to be reported, highlighting the vulnerability of infrastructure in the face of extreme weather events.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel in high-risk areas and to follow safety advisories issued by local administrations. Disaster response teams remain on high alert and are closely monitoring the situation.
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