Himachal bus accident: 10-year-old makes miraculous escape; PM Modi anguished

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condemned the bus accident in Himachal Pradesh which led to loss of lives of 30 people including 27 children.

A 10-year-old child had a miraculous escape after the window he was sitting next to broke and he fell out after the loud bang before the bus rolled down, reports said. He has now been admitted to a hospital and its getting treatment after sustaining injuries.

He said the accident occurred in a fraction of second and he can’t recall how it actually happened, reports said.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced an immediate relief of Rs 500,000 to the next of kin of each deceased.

A magisterial probe was ordered and preliminary inquiries suggested the accident occurred as the driver lost control over the bus which veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge, an official said.

PM Modi took to Twitter and wrote: "I am deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a bus accident in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. My prayers and solidarity with those who lost their near and dear ones in the accident."

I am deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a bus accident in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. My prayers and solidarity with those who lost their near and dear ones in the accident: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 9, 2018

Congress president Rahul Gandhi also expressed his grief in a tweet which said, "I am deeply disturbed and saddened by the bus accident in Himachal, that has claimed many lives, including those of 26 children."

"I urge our Congress party workers in Himachal to provide all the assistance they can, to the families of the victims and to those who are injured," he added.

I'm deeply disturbed and saddened by the bus accident in Himachal, that has claimed many lives, including those of 26 children.

I urge our Congress party workers in Himachal to provide all the assistance they can, to the families of the victims and to those who are injured. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 9, 2018

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also condoled the loss of lives in a bus accident. "I am deeply shocked to learn about the tragic bus accident...my heart goes out to the family members of the deceased," Naidu tweeted.

I am deeply shocked to learn about the tragic bus accident, killing more than 25 students and injuring many, near Malkwal area of Nurpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh today.
My heart goes with the family members of the deceased. @CMOFFICEHP #HimachalBusAccident pic.twitter.com/TONRMD88PV — VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) April 9, 2018

27 children were among 30 killed when a school bus ferrying them back home plunged into a deep gorge near village Gurchal on the Nurpur-Chamba highway, about 100 km from the district headquarters at Dharamsala.

The deceased children were students of Ram Singh Pathania Memorial School, police said. Thirty persons, including 27 children, have lost their life, Himachal Pradesh transport minister Govind Singh Thakur said.

School bus driver, 67-year-old Madan Lal, and two women teachers also died in the accident, Kangra SP Santosh Patial said.

Eyewitnesses said the bus, carrying around 40-45 passengers, fell into the gorge after the driver lost control while negotiating a sharp curve in the road.

At least 13 seriously injured persons were rushed to a hospital in Pathankot where one of them succumbed to injuries, an official said. The condition of other injured persons was also critical, an official said.