Himachal mishap: CM orders probe

 "I am deeply shocked after hearing about the tragedy in which 24 students have reportedly drowned in Beas River. Visited the incident spot and ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Mandi to enquire into the incident. My deep condolence to the members of the deceased family," Singh said in a Facebook post.

Even as search continued to find out the remaining people, a student has reportedly said that authorities reached the spot of the mishap late.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said  special flights have been arranged to bring back the deceased and the survivors to Hyderabad city.

"Arranged for special flights to bring deceased students & survivors back to Hyd. Accommodated missing student's parents in hotel in Kulu," Naidu tweeted.

The Sashastra Seema Bal recovered the five bodies from the embankment dam on the Beas river.

According to reports, the students visited Himachal Pradesh for an excursion trip when the mishap occurred at around 6 pm on Sunday.

Twenty-four students of VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering & Technology, Hyderabad were reported to have drowned in the Beas on Sunday at Thalot, around 40 km from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh due to sudden release of water from Largi Hydel Power Project, around 2 km away.

Human Resources Development Minister Smiriti Zubin Irani has expressed grave concern over the incident of the 24 engineering students from Hyderabad feared washed away near Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.

Irani has assured Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Bali of all assistance and support required from the Centre.

Irani also spoke to the faculty of the Engineering College who was accompanying the travelling students group and was present at the accident site.

The Principal of the college has been assured of all cooperation at such a tragic and challenging juncture.

"Our prayers are with the families in this hour of need," she said.