Death Toll Rises to 14 In Himachal Pradesh Bus Accident, PM Modi Announces Ex-Gratia

Last Updated:January 10, 2026, 06:59 IST

The bus which was reportedly on its way from Solan to Kupvi via Rajgarh and Haripurdhar, went about 400 feet down the road and landed upside down.

PM Modi said the incident was extremely saddening and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims. (Agencies)

The death toll in the Himachal Pradesh bus accident has risen to 14, with 52 reported to be injured. The mishap occurred after a private bus plunged into a 100-metre-deep gorge near Haripurdhar in the Sirmaur district on Friday, said the police.

The bus which was reportedly on its way from Solan to Kupvi via Rajgarh and Haripurdhar, went about 400 feet down the road and landed upside down.

According to the police, the bus fell into a gorge near Rajgarh, leaving the vehicle badly mangled and making rescue efforts particularly difficult. More than 60 passengers were believed to be on board at the time of the crash, raising fears that the death count could climb as authorities continue to account for all occupants.

“The cause of the accident is not yet clear,” a police official said, adding that preliminary accounts from witnesses suggested the driver may have lost control of the vehicle while descending a sharp turn.

Most of the injured were local residents and were taken to the nearest government hospital in Haripurdhar, where doctors said several were undergoing treatment for serious injuries.

PM Modi announces ex-gratia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in a bus mishap in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, which left at least eight people dead and five injured.

The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, while those injured will receive Rs 50,000.

In a post shared by the Prime Minister’s Office on X, the Prime Minister said the incident was extremely saddening and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident.

“The loss of lives due to a bus mishap in Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, is extremely saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” the PMO posted on X.

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep grief over the loss of life. He directed district authorities to provide all possible assistance to the families of the victims.

“The news of the extremely tragic bus accident that occurred near Haripur Dhar in Sirmaur district has left my heart anguished and filled with sorrow. I extend my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in this accident, and my full sympathy is with the grieving families,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.

“Instructions have been issued to the district administration to provide every possible assistance to the families of the deceased and to ensure the best medical facilities for the injured, so that the affected families may receive support during this difficult time,” he added.

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