At least 25 people died and eight others were injured after the bus they were travelling in caught fire after hitting a pole on the Samruddhi Mahamarg near Buldhana in Maharashtra of India early Saturday morning. The police said the bus was heading from Nagpur to Pune and had 30 passengers, two drivers and another staffer on board.
According to the police, the incident took place at around 2 am after the driver allegedly lost control of the bus. The police, who are in the process of registering an FIR against the driver, who survived the accident, suspect that he may have fallen asleep while driving.
“The bus was travelling at a high speed when it hit the pole and then a wall on the highway. Due to its impact, the two (front) tyres came off and the diesel tank of the bus exploded, following which the bus caught fire,” said a senior police official.
It was a sleeper bus and due to the mattresses on board, the bus caught fire instantly, a police official said. “The driver of the bus has survived. Another driver, who was sleeping inside the bus, has died,” the official added.
After they were alerted, local and highway traffic police along with officials from other government agencies reached the spot. “All the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. So far, 25 people have succumbed to their injuries,” the senior police official said.
Meanwhile, the state government announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the victims. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are headed to Buldhana to visit the accident site.
Leader of the Opposition and NCP leader Ajit Pawar offered condolences to those who died in the accident and alleged that the Samruddhi expressway has been witnessing accidents since its inauguration.
Offering his condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratio of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of deceased. “Deeply saddened by the devastating bus mishap in Buldhana, Maharashtra. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected,” Modi tweeted.
Source: The Indian Express