7 Killed, 11 Injured as Private Bus Overturns on Himachal Mountain Route
At least seven passengers were killed and 11 others injured when a private bus overturned and plunged onto a lower road in Chamba district at 7.15 a.m. on Saturday (August 8, 2026), police said.
The accident occurred near Chalunj Mor (curve) on the Bairagarh-Tissa road, a treacherous 27-kilometre mountain route in the remote Churah Valley. The stretch is known for its narrow paths and steep drop-offs, and serves as a key link to the high-altitude Sach Pass.
Superintendent of Police Chamba, Vijay Saklani, told PTI that the exact number of people on board the bus is not yet known. He said that upon hearing the passengers' screams, local residents rushed to the spot and informed the police.
Rescue operations are currently underway. A search-and-rescue team comprising personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Police, Home Guards, Fire Services, and the Revenue Department is at the scene, police said.
Of the 11 injured, six with serious injuries have been referred to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College and Hospital, Chamba. Police said investigations are in progress to determine the cause of the accident.
Local Pradhan Mandhi Rana confirmed that rescue operations are continuing. Police said the death toll may rise further as some passengers could still be trapped under the wreckage of the bus.
According to police data, 78 people have died in road accidents in Himachal Pradesh during the ongoing monsoon season from June 30 to August 7. This incident underscores the heightened risks posed by mountain roads during heavy rainfall, which can cause landslides and slippery conditions.
