As many as 11 passengers died and over 30 others were injured after a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus overturned in the Gondia district of Maharashtra on Friday.
Gondia Collector Prajit Nair said, "...Around 40 people were on the bus. 34 of them were injured...11 people have died. Treatment of others is underway...One of the deceased belonged to Nagpur, another from Chandrapur, a few of them belonged to Bhandara and a few others from Gondia..."
The state transport bus met with the accident after it lost control and overturned near Bindravana Tola village in Gondia district. The bus was on its way from Nagpur to Gondia.
An official told news agency ANI that the injured were shifted to the Gondia District Hospital, adding that the death toll could increase.
According to information from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered the transport administration to provide immediate assistance of ₹10 lakh to the victims.
"A state transport Shivshahi bus overturned in a horrific accident. Eight bodies have been recovered from the site of the incident, and the death toll is expected to increase. Information about the situation was taken from the local administration. Instructions have been issued for immediate and proper treatment of the injured," said the CMO.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis offered his condolences to the bereaved family members.
Taking to his official handle on X, Fadnavis posted, “It is very unfortunate that a Shivshahi bus met with an unfortunate accident near Sadak Arjun in Gondia district in which some passengers died. I pay my heartfelt respects to the deceased. We share the grief of their families.”
Fadnavis said direction had been given that the injured passengers could be treated at private hospitals if necessary.
"The people who were injured in this incident may immediately receive treatment in a private hospital if necessary. I have also told the Collector of Gondia to make arrangements to shift them to Nagpur if required. Senior administration officials have reached the spot and are coordinating relief efforts. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured in this incident," posted Fadnavis on X.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000
PM Modi posted on X, “Distressed by the loss of lives in the bus mishap in Gondia, Maharashtra. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected."
(With inputs from agencies)
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