At least 18 people were killed and 19 injured early on Wednesday when a double-decker bus rammed into a milk tanker on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway at Unnao in Uttar Pradesh of India.
The bus was travelling from Motihari in Bihar to Delhi, Unnao District Magistrate Gaurang Rathi said. It struck the milk tanker from behind near Garha village. The force of the impact was such that the bus was pulverised and people were flung out of the vehicle, reports India Today.
Police and other emergency personnel rushed to the site to extricate victims and transport the injured to hospitals. Visuals from the scene showed bodies strewn on the ground, twisted scraps of metal, shattered glass, and debris of destroyed possessions.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. Initial probe suggests the bus was overspeeding, DM Gaurang Rathi said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took to X and expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. "My deepest condolences are with the grieving families. District officials have been instructed to expedite relief efforts at the site," he added.
Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh took cognisance of the deadly accident and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased. "Instructions have been given to district administration and transport department officials to ensure proper treatment for all the injured," he said.