At least eight people were killed and five others injured after a private bus plunged into a deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh&rsquo;s Sirmaur district on Thursday, triggering large-scale rescue operations. Police said the death toll could rise as several passengers sustained serious injuries.
The bus was travelling from Solan towards Haripurdhar when it reportedly lost control and fell nearly 200 feet off the road, landing upside down near the Haripurdhar area. There were around 30 to 35 passengers on board at the time of the accident.
Residents rushed to the spot immediately after the crash and began rescue efforts even before emergency teams arrived. Visuals circulating on social media showed people attempting to pull injured passengers out of the wreckage.
Sirmaur Superintendent of Police Nishchit Negi confirmed eight fatalities so far and said rescue and evacuation operations were launched without delay. Police, disaster response teams and local administration officials are working together to clear the site and assist victims.
The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals, including facilities at Dadahu, Sangrah and Nahan, where medical teams have been placed on high alert. Industry Minister and local MLA Harshwardhan Chauhan said the district administration is fully prepared to handle the emergency.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and directed officials to provide all possible assistance to the families of the deceased. He also instructed authorities to ensure the best medical care for the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.
The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, and investigations are underway.

Private bus plunges 200 feet in Sirmaur, rescue ops underway

8 Killed as Bus Falls Into Gorge in Himachal

Private bus plunges 200 feet in Sirmaur, rescue ops underway

January 9, 2026 | 22:49 IST