18 dead as bus falls into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh : At least eighteen passengers were killed and fifteen other injured in bus accident in Nathpa area of tribal District of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. The ill fated private bus was on its way to Rampur from Reckong Peo, when it rolled down in a deep gorge. Governor Acharya Dev Vrat and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh have expressed deep shock over the incident. Chief Minister has instructed Kinnaur district administration to give all medical facilities to injured who have been admitted in Bhawanagar government hospital. The situation of three persons is stated to be critical and they have been referred to Rampur hospital.
Media reports that the incident occurred around 1630 hrs when the bus driver while overtaking another vehicle lost the control over bus and it rolled down in deep gorge. Fifteen passengers died on the spot and three others succumbed to injuries in hospital. The dead includes sixteen males and two females. The bus conductor died while the driver is serious. The local people rushed immediately to the spot and helped rescue teams.