A bus carrying schoolchildren fell into a gorge in Nurpur in Himachal Pradesh. Around 15 children were dead when reports last came in. It is feared that the number of deceased may go up.
As many as 25 others were reportedly injured, who were shifted to various hospitals for treatment. All the children were aged between 5 and 11 years.
The bus fell into the 200 feet deep gorge around 4 pm near Malkwal area, around 70 kilometres from Kangra.
Reports say that all the children were from Ram Singh Pathania School and were travelling in the bus on the way back home in the villages that dot the area.
The driver of the bus was among the dead. Reports say that he lost control of the bus which then skidded off the road and into the gorge.
A team of National Disaster Management Authority team and local fire brigade had reached the spot for rescue operations.
The reason behind the accident is not yet clear. A magisterial probe has been ordered by the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister jai Ram Thakur.