Shimla:
At least 20 people were killed and several others injured when a bus plunged into a 500-foot-deep gorge today in Sangrah area of Sirmaur district, 200 km from Himachal Pradesh state capital Shimla.
Eighteen persons, including eight women died on the spot while two succumbed to injuries, police said, adding the injured have been hospitalised in Rajgarh, Solan and Shimla.
This is the second major accident in the state in less than a month.
The private bus carrying around 35 passengers was on its way from Punradhar to Solan when the the mishap took place.
The government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the accident and announced an immediate relief of Rs 10,000 to the next of kin of each victim.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Urmila Singh, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and several others expressed deep shock and grief over the tragedy.
39 people were killed on May 8 when an overloaded bus carrying 70 passengers had skidded off the road and plunged into the Beas River near Kullu town.