AMN / Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan)
At least 33 people were killed and several others injured when a bus fell into the Banas river from an 100-foot high bridge in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district today. The bus was ferrying passengers from Lal Soth to Sawai Madhopur, about 65 km away. It was being driven by a 16-year-old conductor who was speeding and lost control over the vehicle which fell off the bridge near Dubi. The driver, police say, was sleeping at the time. Both of them died in the accident.
The deceased, include 22 males, 7 females and 4 children. Seven injured persons are being treated in thee hospitals of Sawai Madhopur.
The State Government has announced financial assistance of 2 lakh rupees each to the families of the deceased and 50 thousand rupees each to the injured.
“There were around 50 passengers in the bus. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals,” a senior police officer said.
Emergency workers equipped with steel cutters rushed to the scene of the accident to rescue those trapped inside the bus.
All the passengers were going to a pilgrimage at a temple at Malana Dabi area of Sawai Madhopur from Hindaun city.
According to the police, the incident took place early in the morning when driver of the bus lost control over the wheels and the bus fell down into 100 feet Morel river. “Thirty two people are killed and 12 bodies have been taken out while three others are seriously injured,” said Maman Singh, Superintendent of police, Sawai Madhopur.
Most of the people, including the bus driver, died due to drowning , he said.
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Passengers were from other states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Assam. Several of them were going to offer prayers at a temple in Malarna Chour in the district.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, anguished by the tragedy, has offered his condolences to the families of the affected.
PMO India
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@PMOIndia
Anguished by the bus accident in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. State Government is closely monitoring the situation, including rescue operations and providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi
Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje also tweeted that the state government has been closely monitoring the situation and rescue operations are on.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi also asked the Rajasthan unit of the party to help in rescue ops. He tweeted, “Saddened by the tragedy. My condolences are with the families of the deceased. I would appeal to the state government to offer immediate help to the affected.”
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