Overview
- A private bus veered off the road near Haripurdhar in Sirmaur district and fell roughly 100 metres, landing upside down, police said.
- Authorities have confirmed 14 fatalities with dozens injured, including several in critical condition, and officials cautioned the toll could change as identification continues.
- Officials said the 39-seat vehicle was overloaded and the exact passenger count remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from around 40 to over 60.
- The Himachal Pradesh government will bear treatment costs, and injured passengers have been referred to hospitals in Sangrah, Dadahu, Nahan, Shimla and PGI Chandigarh.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia payments of ₹2 lakh for each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured, while the deputy chief minister ordered a formal inquiry and praised locals who aided rescues.