New Delhi, April 20 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in a bus accident in Shimla district, said an official release.

Condoling the loss of lives in a message to Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat, President Mukherjee said: "I understand a number of persons have lost their lives and others are injured. Rescue as well as relief and search operations are currently underway."

Mukherjee also called upon the state government to provide all possible aid to the bereaved families and medical assistance to the injured. 

"Please convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured persons," the President added.

In a major accident, 45 people were killed when a private bus fell into a river in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla district on Wednesday. The lone surviving passenger claimed mechanical failure was the cause of the accident.

The accident spot, 12 km from the Uttarakhand border, is near Gumma in Nerva tehsil, some 190 km from the state capital. It is one of the remotest places in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced an ex gratia of Rs two lakh for the next of kin of each of those killed in the accident from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.