Himachal Pradesh Sirmaur – New Delhi: At least eight people were killed when a private bus they were traveling in rolled off a hilly road in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district on Friday, officials said. News agency ANI reported that the bus was going from Kupvi to Shimla. The death toll is expected to rise as several passengers have been seriously injured.

According to police, the bus was carrying around 30 to 35 passengers when the accident occurred on a narrow stretch of road in remote Haripurdhar area. The vehicle reportedly lost control before plunging down the hill, leaving the bus badly damaged. Sirmaur Superintendent of Police Nischint Singh Negi confirmed the number of casualties and said rescue operations were underway.

“So far eight people have died in the bus accident. The death toll may increase. There were around 30-35 people on board the bus.

Police and other rescue teams are trying to rescue the injured,” he told ANI. Local residents were the first to reach the spot and helped save the injured passengers before the emergency teams arrived.

The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals, some have been referred to higher medical centers considering the seriousness of their condition.