Sirmaur Bus Accident death toll mounts to 14; Several injured remain critical
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), January 10, 2026: The death toll in the tragic road accident near Haripurdhar in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district has increased to 14, while several injured passengers continue to battle for life, Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi said on Saturday.
Addressing the media, Negi confirmed that the number of fatalities rose following the incident that occurred on Friday. He added that many of the injured remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at various hospitals.
The minister said that rescue and relief operations were launched immediately after the state government received information about the accident. Local residents, along with the district administration, played a crucial role in evacuating the injured and transporting them to nearby medical facilities. Critically injured passengers were later referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, for advanced treatment.
Negi assured that the state government is providing all necessary medical assistance to the injured and has extended initial financial relief to the families of those who lost their lives.
Commenting on the ex-gratia announced by the Prime Minister for the victims, the minister stated that such compensation is already covered under existing provisions, adding that the assistance aligns with established norms.
On a separate note, Negi also spoke about safety concerns linked to four-lane road widening and tunnel construction near Sanjauli in Shimla. He said some houses were vacated as a precautionary step and that safety assessments are ongoing to determine further action.
According to preliminary information, around 66 passengers were travelling in the overcrowded bus at the time of the accident. Of them, 14 have died and 52 sustained injuries, with several still in serious condition and receiving treatment across hospitals in the state.