Shimla, Aug 21: 18 people are feared dead, with up to 17 injured when a private bus fell into a gorge, in Rohtrung village in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur District on Thursday. The bus is said to have falled down 400ft killing 15 people instantly.

Medical aid was given instantly with the surviving members being brought to IGMC Hospital in Shimla. A state helicopter arrived on scene to lift off the injured to safety. Three of those severly injured however did not survive the journey to the hospital. The driver and conductor died on the spot.

The bodies of those who died will be handed over to their families on completion of a post mortem. Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner D D Sharma said that the post mortem would be carried out quickly and efficiently in the hospital or on the scene, so that the families don't have to wait too long.

Carrying around 35 passengers the bus was bound for Kalpa from the Sangla valley. Most of those aboard were residents of Sangla. Chief Minister Virbhardra Singhhas asked the district administration to provide all the medical help possible as well as to ensure that any other help required was also given immediately. He further expressed his grief over the unfortunate incident.