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     Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh): Twelve pilgrims, including an Israeli woman, were killed and dozens injured on Friday when a bus carrying them turned turtle in Himachal Pradesh. The mishap took place in Dhaliara village. The dead Israeli woman was identified as Salmen Mikel. Police said the injured were shifted to a local hospital, and eight of them were in a critical situation. "Twelve casualties have been confirmed, and the rest we are lifting the wreckage of the bus to see how many more people are trapped inside," said Rani Bindu, Deputy Superintendent of Police. The bus driver said the accident took place when he was trying to negotiate a speeding vehicle from the opposite direction. "I applied immediate brakes because I saw a vehicle coming at a very high speed from the other direction," said Shyam, the driver of the bus. When the bus reached the place, boulders fell on it. We ran to rescue the people trapped in the bus. We managed to rescue two foreigners along with the two others," said Heera Lal, a resident. Tek Chand, an injured, added: "A few small stones fell in the beginning then the boulder fell on the bus. I managed to lie down on the seat but my feet got stuck in the rubble." Witnesses said rescuers used their hands and pickaxes to get through the rubble and take out the injured and dead. Known for its snow-capped mountains and heavily forested valleys, Himachal Pradesh is a favourite destination for thousands of tourists, especially young backpackers.
-Oct 8, 2005  

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