At least 14 people were killed and 29 injured when a Delhi-bound Himachal Pradesh Roadways bus rolled 600 feet down the hill near Solan on Saturday.
The police said the bus, which was carrying about 50 passengers, was on its way from Shimla to Delhi when the accident took place near Kandaghat, 10 kms from Solan on the Shimla-Kalka National Highway, Additional Superintendent of Police Varinder Kanwar said.
Eleven people died on the spot, one on the way to hospital while two persons succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. The dead included seven women as also the driver and the conductor of the bus, Kanwar said.
All the bodies were recovered and the injured have been shifted to hospital. While most were admitted to a Solan hospital, two persons were sent to Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla.
Chief Minister V B Singh, who was on his way to Solan, stopped at the spot and directed the district administration to provide all possible help to the victims. Senior district and police officers went to the spot and conducted the rescue operations. The bus was torn apart after rolling 600 feet down and parts of the vehicle were scattered all around.
People from surrounding areas rushed to the spot and helped in rescue operations. The bodies have been brought to Solan and would be handed over to family members after post-mortem, police sources said.
The cause of the accident was not known immediately and a magisterial inquiry had been ordered.
The chief minister expressed deep shock over the accident and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. Later, he also visited the injured in the hospital.
Singh directed the district administration to provide relief to next of kin of the deceased and the injured persons.