Israeli woman killed in Himachal bus accident

Shimla, June 4 (IANS) An Israeli woman tourist was killed and four others injured when a private vehicle carrying foreigners bound for Leh skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul Valley on Monday, police said.

The injured, three Israelis and an American, were rushed to the Regional Hospital in Kullu town, some 200 km from the state capital.

The vehicle was going to Leh from Manali in Kullu district when it fell into the gorge near Keylong, some 115 km from Manali, Assistant Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dharmani told IANS over phone.

The deceased was identified as Adva Ben Dahan, while the injured were Shahar Gesundheit, Itay Silberman and Noa Shkotai, all Israeli, and Tiffani Brooke Fest, an American.

Police have registered a case and ordered investigations to ascertain the reason behind the accident.

Closed for over five months every year due to heavy snowfall, the 475-km Manali-Leh highway was reopened to motorists last month on completion of the snow-clearing operations.