A tragic road accident in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh claimed several lives on Saturday morning after a private passenger bus went out of control and fell from the road onto another road several feet below.

The accident took place on the Bairagarh-Chamba route under the Churah subdivision. According to the initial information, the private bus operated by Sharma Travellers was travelling from Bairagarh towards Chamba when the vehicle reportedly lost control near Chaluj Morh close to Devikothi.

The bus slipped off the road and plunged down to the road below. The impact was severe and the vehicle was badly damaged. Preliminary reports indicate that seven people, including the driver and conductor, died in the accident.

Around 11 people are reported to have sustained injuries, with some of them said to be in serious condition. The exact condition of all the injured passengers is expected to become clearer as medical authorities provide further updates.

The accident reportedly occurred at around 6:30 a.m. Soon after the incident, local residents reached the spot and immediately began rescue operations. With the damaged bus lying at a difficult location, villagers faced considerable difficulty while trying to reach the passengers trapped inside.

Local residents worked together to pull injured passengers out of the damaged vehicle. The injured were subsequently transported to Civil Hospital Tissa for medical treatment.

Police and administrative officials were also dispatched to the accident site after receiving information about the incident. Rescue operations continued at the location, with efforts being made to move and straighten the damaged bus.

Authorities are also examining whether any additional passengers could have been trapped underneath or inside the wreckage. The possibility of additional casualties or injuries is therefore being assessed as rescue operations continue.

Initial information suggested that around 15 to 16 passengers were travelling in the bus. However, the early figures regarding the number of passengers, deaths and injuries may be revised as authorities complete verification. Further official information is expected to establish the exact number of people involved.

Chamba Superintendent of Police Vijay Kumar Saklani said that police teams and administrative officials were immediately sent to the location after receiving information about the accident. The injured passengers were taken to Civil Hospital Tissa for treatment.

The police have registered a case and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident has been initiated. Officials will examine the condition of the road, the vehicle, possible mechanical issues and other factors that may have contributed to the crash.

At present, the exact reason why the bus lost control has not been established. Investigators are expected to determine whether the accident was caused by a technical problem, road conditions, driver error or another factor.

The accident has once again highlighted the risks involved in travelling on mountainous roads, where sharp turns, steep slopes and difficult road conditions can make driving particularly challenging.

Rescue and relief operations remain a priority as authorities work to ensure that all injured passengers receive medical attention and that the accident site is properly examined.