At least 30 people, including 27 school children, were killed after a private bus skidded off the road and rolled down deep into a gorge in Nurpur area of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh on Monday.

Confirming the death toll, Nurpur BJP MLA Rakesh Pathania said three staff members, including two teachers and a driver of the bus, were also among those who were killed in the tragic incident. The victims belonged to Wazir Ram Singh Memorial school. The ill-fated bus was on its way to drop children back to their homes, reports the Indian Express.

Superintendent of Police Santosh Patyal confirmed the deaths. All the dead students were below the age of 10. The bus driver and two teachers were among the dead.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the families of those killed. ‘I am deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a bus accident in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. My prayers and solidarity with those who lost their near and dear ones in the accident,’ PMO India tweeted.

The death toll could rise as some students were still trapped in the mangled bus even as the rescue operation is on, police added. Local villagers had begun rescue operation even before officials could reach the spot, eyewitnesses said.

Unconfirmed reports said nine children died on the spot while other succumbed to their injuries at Nurpur government hospital. There were total 40 school children in the bus, reports said. Some of the injured were referred to hospitals in Pathankot in Punjab.

Talking to reporters, state chief minister Jairam Thakur said, ‘I have spoken with the Chief Secy, DG & Dy Commissioner. NDRF team has been immediately deployed. Rescue operation is underway with the help of locals. I have ordered for magisterial probe.’

Thakur also announced Rs 5 lakhs each for the family of the accident victims.