18 killed as bus and truck collide in UP's Barabanki

09:29 July 28

Tweet by Prime Minister Modi

Prime Minister Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident. The injured would be given Rs 50,000 each.

06:19 July 28

Barabanki (UP): At least 18 people were killed and 15 others injured when a double-decker bus was hit from behind by a speeding truck on the Lucknow-Ayodhya National Highway under Ram Sanehi Ghat police station limits in ​​the district. All those injured have been rushed to the Lucknow Trauma Centre, the Lucknow zone ADG said. The accident happened in the early hours of Wednesday at around 1.30 AM. The bus was on its way from Haryana to Bihar. It was raining heavily when the accident took place and this posed some problems in the rescue operation, police said.

PM Modi also tweeted saying, "Deeply saddened by the news of road accident in Barabanki, UP. My condolences to the bereaved families. I have also spoken to CM Yogi ji. Arrangements are being made for proper treatment of all the injured comrades." He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident. The injured would be given Rs 50,000 each. Deeply pained by the news of the untimely death of many people in a road accident in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. In this hour of grief, I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery, President Ram Nath Kovind said in a tweet. 

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and directed officials to extend all possible help to the victims. "The death of people in a road accident in Ram Sanehi Ghat area of district Barabanki is very sad. My condolences are with the bereaved family. Praying to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at his feet and speedy recovery to the injured," Adityanath tweeted in Hindi.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condoled the loss of lives in the road accident, and asked party workers to extend all possible help to those affected by the incident. "I was deeply saddened by the news of the road accident in Barabanki. My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured," the Congress leader said in a tweet in Hindi.

"A truck rammed into a bus near Ram Sanehi Ghat In Barabanki, late last night. About 18 casualties with many passengers sustaining injuries;19 hospitalized. Rescue operation to recover the dead bodies stuck under the bus is underway," said Satya Narayan Sabat, ADG, Lucknow Zone, adding that around 11 people died on the spot and 7 died on the way to the hospital. 

According to the police, the bus while passing through the Kalyani river bridge on the Ayodhya border when the axle of the bus broke down at around 1AM in the night. The driver and operator were getting the bus repaired by parking the vehicle on the road side. Some passengers were standing outside the bus while others were sitting inside at the time, when a speeding truck coming from behind rammed the bus at great speed. The impact of the collision was so strong that most of the people in the bus died instantaneously.