Shimla: At least 34 people, mostly women, were killed and around 25 injured in Himachal Pradesh`s Mandi district when the truck they were travelling in fell into a 200-metre gorge Wednesday evening, police said.

The victims, mostly from Bhaot village, were on their way home after attending a `mundan` (tonsuring) ceremony when their truck fell into a gorge near Guru Kotha village in Balh Valley, some 30 km from Mandi town, Assistant Superintendent of Police Hera Singh Thakur told IANS over telephone.

He said most of the injured were admitted to the Zonal Hospital in Mandi.

The accident seems to have occurred due to negligent driving, another police official said.

Governor Urmila Singh and Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.

BDST: 2058 HRS, August 18, 2010