Some surviors told the police that driver tried to overtake another vehicles and lost control of the bus. Some surviors told the police that driver tried to overtake another vehicles and lost control of the bus.

Eighteen people were killed and 13 injured Tuesday when a bus skidded off Shimla-Reckong Peo National Highway and rolled down almost 200 m into a gorge at Nathpa, 175 km from Shimla.

Deputy commissioner N K Lath said the mishap occurred around 4 pm and inspection of the site, on the banks of Sutlej, suggested the driver lost control while trying to overtake another vehicle. The private bus belonging to Friendly Bus Service with more than 30 passengers was on its way to Rampur from Tapri in Kinnaur district. Fifteen people died on spot, while three succumbed to injuries later, said Lath, who ordered a magisterial inquiry into the mishap.

Cash relief of Rs 50,000 was earmarked for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 25,000 for survivors. The government will bear the hospital expenses.

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