Shimla, Aug 14: Fifteen persons were killed and seven others injured when a bus carrying a troupe of folk dancers from Leh in Jammu and Kashmir plunged into a deep gorge in Lahaul and Spiti district, police said Sunday.
 The mishap occurred near Gamoor, 20 km from Keylong, the district headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti. “All the bodies have been recovered,” SP Vimal Gupta said, adding that seven injured have been rushed to hospital at Keylong. “We used long ropes to enable the rescue teams to reach the exact location,” he said, adding inclement weather and piercing cold winds following snowfall in the valley made the rescue work very difficult.
 22 members of the troupe were travelling in the bus when the mishap took place late last night, police said.
 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the road accident. In a condolence message, Omar conveyed sympathy to the affected families and prayed for early recovery of the injured. He directed the district administration for prompt assistance and medical treatment to the affected.
 Governor NN Vohra also expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives in the road accident. In a message, the Governor expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of the injured.
 The Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora expressed deep shock and grief over the tragic bus accident.
 Meanwhile authorities at the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Leh called an emergency meeting immediately after the accident took place.
 The Deputy Commissioner and the Chairman District Red Cross Society Leh announced Rs 10000 each to the next of kin of the deceased persons and Rs 5000 to each injured person.
 In the meantime the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon has announced Rs 25000 each to the next of kin of the deceased persons and Rs 5000 each to the injured persons.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST