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22 killed as bus falls into gorge

Staff Correspondent

Ex-gratia of Rs. 1 lakh each announced

SHIMLA: At least 22 people were killed and 24 injured when a bus rolled down into a deep gorge 60 km from here early on Wednesday morning.

The bus was coming on a steep descent from Kiari, a prosperous apple growing area, when the driver lost control and stumbled 300 feet downhill within moments.

"The bus was not overloaded since it was a holiday. Otherwise the casualties could have been more," said villagers of Kupri Nullah nearby.

Some of the injured, brought to Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital here, were in a serious condition, said officials.

Eighteen of the victims died on the spot while four succumbed to injuries in hospital. The dead include three women and some of the workers from Orissa and Nepal who flock here in large numbers during the apple harvest season. State Transport Minister G.S. Bali said an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 1 lakh each would be given to the deceased. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the accident and announced a relief of Rs. 75,000 to the next of kin of those who died and Rs. 15,000 each to the injured.

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22 killed as bus falls into gorge

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