Nine people were killed and 18 injured an ill-fated tourist bus veered off the road and plunged into the swollen Parvati river near Saradi bridge, about 15 km from the district headquarters at Kullu. The bus with a Punjab registration number was going from Bhunter to Manikaran, a pilgrimage centre known for its gurudwara and hot water springs.
About 60 passengers were there in the bus and were from Barnala and Bhatinda areas of Punjab, said officials. The injured have been admitted to District Hospital, Kullu.
The toll may go up as the strong river current hampered rescue operations. As per the reports, 29 persons were still missing and efforts were on to trace them, said the police.
The divers from BBMB have been requisitioned and police, ITBP and workers of Parbati project have joined the rescue operations.
The Governor and the Chief Minister have expressed grief over the accident and have directed the district administration to intensify search besides providing all possible assistance for their treatment.
