A tragic bus accident in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district on Friday, January 9, 2026, has resulted in the deaths of at least eight people, with several others sustaining injuries. The incident occurred when a private bus, reportedly carrying between 30 to 35 passengers, veered off a hilly road and plunged into a deep gorge near the Haripurdhar area. Multiple credible news outlets, including India Today, Hindustan Times, and Zee News, have corroborated the incident, confirming the fatality count of eight. While some initial reports might have cited seven deaths, subsequent updates consistently report eight fatalities. The bus was identified as a "Jeet Coach" by some sources and was en route from Kupvi to Shimla, though other reports suggested a Solan to Haripur Dhar route. Upon witnessing the horrific crash, local residents immediately rushed to the site to commence frantic rescue operations, assisting in pulling victims from the mangled wreckage before official police and administration teams could arrive. The injured passengers were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals, with some critically wounded individuals being referred to higher medical centers for specialized treatment. Sirmaur Superintendent of Police Nishchint Singh Negi confirmed the casualties and stated that rescue efforts were actively underway. The exact cause of the accident is currently under investigation. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri have expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives. This incident highlights the dangers of navigating treacherous hilly roads in the region.