Shimla, Jan. 9 -- At least eight people lost their lives on Friday after a private bus carrying over 30 passengers skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge near Harpur Dhar in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district. The bus was travelling from Kupvi to Shimla, police said.

Confirming the casualties, Sirmaur Superintendent of Police (SP) Nishchit Negi told ANI over the phone that eight fatalities have been confirmed so far, adding that the death toll may rise. "There were around 30 to 35 passengers on board the bus. More details are awaited," he said.

According to police, the accident occurred about an hour before the information was received. Rescue and evacuation operations were immediately launched, with police and other emergency...