In Himachal Pradesh, at least seventeen people were killed and 21 injured in an accident, when a private bus rolled down about 300 metres deep goerge near remote Milla area in Shillai sub division of Sirmour district.

The accident occurred at 1230 pm Monday afternoon. The ill-fated bus was on its way to Paonta Sahib from Milla. Ten people died on the spot.

The injured have been admitted in the nearby hospitals where some of them are stated to be critical. All the passengers were from nearby villages. The postmortem was conducted on the spot and bodies were handed over to their relatives.

The state Governor Urmila Singh and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh have expressed deep shock over the incident. The Chief Minister has directed Sirmour district administration to give all possible help to the affected families.

Meanwhile, the transport Minister G.S. Bali has ordered a Magisterial inquiry and a Committee has been set up under the Chairmanship of SDM, Paonta Sahib. The Committee will submit its report in a fortnight.