Shimla: Dularo to Chamba private bus met with an accident at Gagaala about 12 Km. from Chamba, this morning in which 51 persons are reported to have been killed and 46 have been injured, according to information reaching at State Headquarter. Injured had been admitted in the District Hospital, Chamba. Nine seriously injured persons have been referred to Dr. R.P.Medical College, Tanda

Smt. Urmila Singh, Governor and Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister has expressed grief over the accident and conveyed their heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and have wished speedy recovery of the injured.

Chief Minister directed the District Administration to provide all possible assistance to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the accident and best treatment to the injured.

The State Government will give Rs. One Lakh as relief to the next of the kin who have died in the accident. Rupees 10,000 immediate relief had been disbursed. The injured will also be given up to Rs. 10,000 depending upon the gravity of the injuries.

The State Government had ordered Magisterial inquiry into the accident which will be done by the rank of officer of Additional District Magistrate.

Shri Tulsi Ram, Speaker, Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha and Shri B.K. Chauhan, Local MLA also reached the spot of the accident to ensure proper rescue operation. They also visited the hospital to enquire into the welfare of the injured. They have also expressed sympathies with the affected families.

Shri Sunil Chaudhary, Deputy Commissioner, Chamba accompanied by Superintendent of Police, Chamba and other Senior Officers and medical teams rushed to the spot of accident immediately on receiving information about the accident to supervise the rescue operation which was undertaken swiftly.

He said that arrangements were made to take dead bodies to the destination where their relatives intended to take besides four trucks of wood were also provided for the cremation of these done near the spot of accident.

He said that four postmortem team were deployed and 37 postmortem were performed on the spot. He said that Home Guard, ITBP and Police Jawans were deployed in the rescue operation. He said that District Administration was providing all assistance to the sufferers.