8 killed after bus veers off road, falls into 15-foot canal on Delhi-Mumbai highway in Kota

The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, though preliminary findings suggest the driver lost control of the bus. A probe is underway to establish the circumstances leading to the fall.

In Short

• 25 devotees, including elderly and children, from Bhopal were aboard the bus
• Bus was en route to Khatu Shyam temple when it overturned and plunged into canal
• Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed grief over the loss of lives

At least eight people were killed after a bus carrying devotees from Bhopal to Rajasthan's Khatu Shyam temple overturned on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Kota district early Saturday. The bus was carrying 25 passengers, including elderly people and children.

The accident occurred around 6 am near pole number 384 on the expressway. According to a report by the news agency PTI, the bus veered off the road and plunged into a 15-foot-deep canal.

The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, though preliminary findings suggest the driver lost control of the bus. A probe is underway to establish the circumstances leading to the fall.

Rescue operations began soon after the fall, with emergency personnel and residents joining the efforts. However, silt and water accumulated inside the drain, hampered the rescue operation. The authorities also deployed cranes to pull out the damaged bus from the canal. After an initial struggle, the bus was pulled out.

Kota District Collector Piyush Samariya said 17 people were taken to New Medical College Hospital (NMCH), while eight were taken to MBS Hospital. Of those taken to NMCH Hospital, seven were declared dead on arrival. One person was declared dead at MBS Hospital.

Samariya, along with a senior district police official, visited the hospital to meet the injured and take stock of their condition.

Further details about the incident are awaited.

RAJASTHAN CM BHAJAN LAL SHARMA EXPRESSES GRIEF

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.

In a post on X, Sharma described the incident as “extremely heartbreaking” and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

“May God grant a place at His divine feet to the departed souls and bestow strength upon the bereaved families to bear this sorrow. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” he said.

He also said that instructions had been issued to the concerned authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured and provide necessary assistance to those affected.

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