Himachal Pradesh: 7 killed, over 22 missing as bus plunges into Parvati river

While 22 people have been rescued, at least 22 others are missing.

A private tourists bus fell into Parvati river from Punjab near Bhuntar in Kullu district on Thursday. (Source: Express Photo)

A tourist bus from Punjab plunged into Parvati river near Bhuntar in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday killing at least seven people. While 22 people have been rescued, at least 22 others are missing. Five bodies were recovered from the spot and two more were fished out from a place Jhiri, 8 km downstream.

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The ill-fated 52-seater bus, bearing registration no PB 19,3085, belonged to Guru Kripa Transport, a Barnala (Punjab) based company. The bus started from Punjab Thursday morning and the accident took place around 4 pm.

The injured have been admitted to a government hospital in Kullu, and four seriously injured have been shifted to PGI Chandigarh.

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The 52-seater bus, belonging to a private tour operator in Punjab, was on its way to Manikaran — a popular Sikh shrine. “We fear the number of missing persons could be 23 or 24,” said Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, Rakesh Kanwar, who reached the spot with a rescue team, comprising home guards, SSB personnel and policemen.

Quoting the survivors, Kunwar said the driver lost control of the vehicle as it skidded off the road and plunged into the river.

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