Bus crash in Maharashtra: At least 25 people were killed and eight others injured
Buldhana/New Delhi:
At least 25 people, including three children, were killed and eight others injured when the bus they were traveling in caught fire on a highway in Maharashtra early this morning.
About 33 people were on the bus bound for Pune, officials said, adding that the accident occurred on the Samruddhi-Mahamarg Expressway at around 1:30 am.
Police said the bus overturned after hitting a pole on the highway and caught fire. “The driver of the bus, who survived the incident, said the bus hit the pole after a burst tire,” they said.
The bus overturned on the side of the doors blocking it, preventing anyone from getting out, police said.
“25 people died in the accident. The injured, including the bus driver, have been taken to a hospital for treatment,” said Sunil Kadasane, Superintendent of Police, Buldhana.
He said a case has been registered and the investigation is ongoing. “The priority right now is to identify the bodies and hand them over to their relatives,” Kadasane said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of life.
Deeply saddened by the devastating bus accident in Buldhana, Maharashtra. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. May the injured recover quickly. The local administration provides all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 1, 2023
Prime Minister Eknath Shinde has also expressed his displeasure over the accident and has announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
“While giving instructions to provide immediate assistance to the victims of the accident, the Prime Minister also ordered immediate medical treatment for the injured at government expense,” his office said.
