Gondia: At least 11 people were killed and 26 others injured after a 'Shivshahi' bus of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) coming from Nagpur to Gondia overturned near Khajri village in the Arjuni taluka of Gondia district at around 12 to 12.30 pm on Friday, police said.
The police admitted the injured passengers to Gondia District Hospital. Police said that the death toll is expected to increase. The rescue operation is underway to rescue the passengers. Over 30 passengers were travelling in the ill-fated Gondia-bound bus, they said.
According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Maharashtra Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered the Transport Department to provide immediate assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the victims.
"A State transport Shivshahi bus overturned in a horrific accident. Information about the situation was taken from the local administration. Instructions have been issued for immediate and proper treatment of the injured," the CMO said in a statement.
Officials said that the identity of the nine deceased has been ascertained. According to officials, the deceased were identified as Smita Suryavanshi (32), Magala Lanjewar (60), Rajesh Lanjewar, Kalpana Wankhede (65), Ramchandra Kanoje (65), Arif Sayyad (42), Ajhar Ali Sayyad (55) and Nayana Vishal Mitkati (35).
They said that after the accident, the bus driver fled from the spot and efforts are on to nab him.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the accident. In a post on X, the Prime Minister's Office quoting the PM said, "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. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000".
Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis also condoled the bereaved family members. In a post on X, Fadanvis, said, "The unfortunate incident of a Shivshahi bus accident near Sadak Arjuni in Gondia district, in which some passengers died, is very unfortunate. I pay my heartfelt tributes to the deceased. We share in the grief of their families."
"Instructions have been given to those injured in this incident to provide treatment to private hospitals immediately, even if they have to. I have also told the District Collector of Gondia to make arrangements to shift them to Nagpur if necessary. Senior officials of the administration have reached the spot and are coordinating the relief work. I pray to God that the injured in this incident may get relief soon." added Fadnavis, who hails from Nagpur.
