A bus carrying employees of a private company had met with a terrible incident in Chhattisgarh’s Durg region that left at least 12 people dead and left many injured. Under the jurisdiction of the Kumhari police station, the incident happened on Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. close to Khapri village.
The bus, carrying over 30 passengers, skidded off the road and plunged into the 40 feet-deep mine pit. Among the casualties were three women. Initial reports suggested 15 fatalities, although later confirmation revised the count to 12 deaths. Rescue operations swiftly commenced, with a joint effort from the police, State Disaster Response Force, and locals.
According to Jitendra Shukla, Durg Superintendent of Police, the victims—all workers at the Kediya Distillery Company—fell into a “murum” soil mine pit while the bus was returning home from work. Murum, the type of soil in the mine, is commonly utilized in construction activities.
Durg Collector Richa Prakash Choudhary announced a magisterial probe into the incident and informed the press that the injured have been transferred to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, while two are receiving treatment at a local hospital. She also disclosed that the company, along with administrative aid, has pledged compensation for the victims.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma visited AIIMS to meet the injured, while Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed condolences and assured adequate arrangements for the treatment of the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his sorrow over the tragedy, pledging support from the state government for the victims and their families.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the accident and tweeted: “News has been received about a bus full of employees of a private company meeting an accident near Kumhari in Durg resulting to the death of 11 employees. Adequate arrangements have been made for the treatment of the employees injured in the accident. I wish them a speedy recovery.”
Along with expressing sorrow over the deaths in the horrific disaster, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised that the state government will do everything in its power to assist the victims.
It’s very tragic about the bus tragedy that happened in Durg, Chhattisgarh. Those who lost loved ones in this have my sincere sympathy. Concurrently, I hope the injured individuals heal quickly. The local government is assisting the victims in every manner possible while operating under the direction of the state government, PM Modi said on X.
छत्तीसगढ़ के दुर्ग में हुआ बस हादसा अत्यंत दुखद है। इसमें जिन्होंने अपने प्रियजनों को खोया है, उनके प्रति मेरी संवेदनाएं। इसके साथ ही मैं घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं। राज्य सरकार की निगरानी में स्थानीय प्रशासन पीड़ितों की हरसंभव मदद में जुटा है।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2024
President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief over the deaths and tweeted on X, “I am deeply saddened by the news of deaths of many people in a bus accident in Durg district of Chhattisgarh. My deepest condolences to all the deceased families. I wish for speedy recovery of the injured.”
छत्तीसगढ़ के दुर्ग जिले में एक बस के दुर्घटनाग्रस्त होने से अनेक लोगों के हताहत होने का समाचार बहुत दुखद है। सभी शोक संतप्त परिवारों के प्रति मेरी गहन संवेदनाएं! मैं घायल हुए लोगों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करती हूँ।
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 9, 2024