THE AFTERMATH: Rescue workers trying to extricate bodies from the mangled remains of the ill-fated bus which fell into a gorge in Hamirpur near Simla on Friday.

SHIMLA, May 9: At least 71 people were killed and nine injured when a truck carrying a marriage party plunged into 250-foot deep gorge near Gasota in Hamirpur district on Thursday night.

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the accident. Hamirpur additional district magistrate LS Chaudhary has been appointed as inquiry officer.

While 45 people died on the spot, others succumbed to their injuries at the Hamirpur district hospital. Six of the injured were rushed to the PGI at Chandigarh and one of them died on the way.

The bodies of 69 people were brought to Hamirpur district hospital and were being identified. The deceased included seven members of a band party.However, bodies of some people were still trapped under the truck which went off the road while its driver was negotiating a curve.

The truck was carrying a marriage party, of about 90 people, from Beroha village to Bihad village in the district. The groom, however, escaped death as he was travelling in another vehicle. Most of these killed were in the age of 25 to 45 years.

All shops and business establishment in Hamirpur town and its suburbs remained closed following the accident.Thousands of men, people were crowding outside the district hospital. Policemen were maintaining constant vigil and guarding the bodies.

Heart-rending scenes were witnessed at the Baroha village from where the marriage party had started. Many of the accident victims were the bread earners of the families. The rescue operation was still continuing and bodies of people trapped under the truck were being retrieved with a crane.

Some bodies were handed over to the relatives after identification. The remaining were being cremated together. State Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh also rushed to Hamirpur.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.