32 killed as bus falls into river in Himachal

Thirty-two people were killed and 13 others injured Wednesday when an overcrowded bus skidded off a road and plunged into the Beas river, officials said.

The private bus was going to Ani town from Kullu when it fell into the river around 4 p.m. between Jhari and Nagwain in Mandi district, some 20 km from here.

The accident spot, known for white water rafting, is 250 km from the state capital Shimla.

"The casualty figure could be higher as some passengers might have been swept away. Rescue operations are on," Kullu Deputy Commissioner Sharab Negi told IANS.

Thirty-two bodies have been fished out of the river, which is turbulent in this region due to thawing of glaciers. Most of the injured have been rushed to the Zonal Hospital in Kullu, he added.

Governor Urmila Singh and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh have expressed grief over the accident.

The state government has announced Rs.15,000 each as immediate relief to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs.5,000 to the injured.