A private passenger bus fell from a bridge, causing up to 15 people dead and 25 injured in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district on Tuesday. There were reportedly more than 50 passengers on board the bus when the tragedy occurred, according to a police officer.

The bus was on its way to Indore when the bus skidded off the bridge and plunged to the ground below.

“15 people have died, 20-25 people are injured who have been shifted to District Hospital, Khargone. The Chief Minister has announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He has also ordered an inquiry into the incident,” MP Home Minister Narottam Mishra said.

The event happened on Tuesday morning at the district’s Dongargaon bridge, which is close to the Dasanga neighbourhood and beneath the Oon police station. The police department and ambulances hurried to the scene as soon as they learned about the event and began the rescue effort.

Khargone Superintendent of Police (SP) Dharamveer Singh said, “15 people are dead and 25 are injured after a bus falls from a bridge in Khargone. Rescue operation is underway.”

The Madhya Pradesh government announced immediate financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased, Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured and Rs 25,000 each to those who received minor injuries in the accident.

According to reports, the bus’s driver lost control of the vehicle on a slope as it was travelling towards Andheri station and crashed it into a store.

Further information on the matter is awaited.