At least 8 dead and ten injured after packed bus plunges off mountain road in India leaving passengers trapped inside

AT LEAST eight people have been killed and another ten injured after a bus plunged off a mountain road. It had been travelling across northern India when it suddenly veered off the edge of a cliff and flipped over – trapping passengers inside. Horrified bystanders survey the wreckage Several people were trapped inside the mangled bus The tragedy unfolded shortly after 6:30am on Saturday. The bus had been carrying 18 passengers from Bairagarh to Chamba along a road known for its narrow lanes and steep drops. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! It was about 2 miles into its journey when it crashed off the side of the road and plunged down, trapping several people inside the wreckage. Locals raced to the scene and alerted the police. Firefighters, cops and workers from the National Disaster Response Force hauled passengers from the mangled wreckage. The Chamba District Disaster Management Authority confirmed that eight people were killed and ten were wounded in the horror crash. The victims included the driver and the conductor. Rescue teams rushed six people with serious injuries to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College and Hospital in Chamba, officials said. Most read in The Sun Shards of the smashed bus can be seen on the floor as resident mourn for the victims Credit: NHP The bus had been carrying 18 people Credit: NHP A probe has been launched into the cause of the crash. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu offered condolences to the victims’ families after the “deeply tragic” incident. He said: “I extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragic accident. May the Almighty grant eternal peace to the departed souls and give the bereaved families the strength to bear this immense grief. “Instructions have been issued to the district administration to ensure that all the injured are immediately admitted to nearby hospitals and receive proper medical treatment. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of all the injured.” It comes as the region is lashed with heavy monsoon rains – flooding roads and causing closures. The area in which the crash occurred is under an orange weather warning with rains expected to batter Himachal Pradesh early next week. More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us on TikTok @TheSun. Comment now