Shimla (Himachal Pradesh): At least 10 people died and two others were injured as a vehicle carrying them fell into a deep gorge in Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh, on Monday, an official said. The vehicle carrying members of a marriage party fell into the gorge near Pashog in Shillai sub-division, Shillai Sub Divisional Magistrate Suresh Singha said.
The official also said that nine people died on the spot while one injured died on his way to the hospital. A total of 12 people were in the vehicle, he said. Paonta Sahib SDM Vivek Mahajan said he was passing through the area when he learnt about the accident after seeing ambulances. At this, he reached the hospital, where the injured were admitted, to ensure better treatment and asked senior doctors to take special care of them. One of the injured, however, succumbed to his injuries on his way to the hospital. Paonta Sahib DSP Bir Bahadur also reached the spot.
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Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur expressed condolence to the bereaved families, an official spokesperson said. Thakur also directed the district administration to provide all possible assistance to the affected families and the best treatment for the injured.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, expressed grief and said he was pained by the loss of lives. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
The Prime Minister's Office tweeted, "Pained by the loss of lives due to an accident in Sirmaur, HP. Condolences to the bereaved families and prayers with the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be provided to the next of kin of the deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured: PM Modi."
