12 killed, 39 injured as bus plunges into gorge

Twelve passengers were killed and 39 others injured when a Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus plunged into a deep gorge near Jogindernagar in Mandi district late last night.
The bus carrying over 55 persons was on its way to Rekong Peo, when the mishap took place about 210 km from here.
The condition of some of the injured persons was critical, police said, adding 39 people have been injured.
Among whom 20 were admitted in JoginderNagar Hospital and 19 have been rushed to PGI Chandigarh and Government Medical College, Tandain Kangra, Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Ritesh Chouhan said.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh this morning met the injured in Tanda hospital and announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs five lakh for the next of kin of each of the deceased.

Expressing grief over the mishap, the Chief Minister said, "It was painful to see the seriously injured at Tanda Hospital. We will provide all possible help to the injured and kin of diseased."
The victims are yet to identified, police said.
The rescue operations are still on and further details are awaited.