Nine dead as bus carrying Gujarat pilgrims overturns
people, including seven pilgrims, were killed and 23 injured when a bus carrying pilgrims from Gujarat overturned near Udaipur on Saturday, police said.
The bus driver lost control of the vehicle after a truck hit it from behind, the police said. When the bus overturned it hit two two-wheelers, killing two persons and injuring one. The accident took place near Nehla village on NH 8, around 10 km from Rajasthan’s lake city Udaipur, around 9 am.
The bus was carrying more than 40 passengers.
The bus, carrying pilgrims, had started its journey from Ahmedabad on Friday night. It was on a 16-day tour of religious places, including Pushkar and Haridwar. Six women and three men were killed in the accident.
The deceased have been identified as Niru Ben (65), Narbada Ben (60), Madhu Ben (63), Prakash Chandra Jain (28), Pankaj Yadav (25) and Gaffur Ali (50).
Prakash Chandra was a resident of Sector 14 in Udaipur and was on his way to the office on his two-wheeler when the mishap took place. He sustained head injuries which resulted in his death. He was working as a research analyst from last three years and was an only son.
Another biker Pankaj Yadav, from Pune, too died while his friend, Adiya Kumar, riding pillion was injured.
The bus’ driver, Gaffur, who hails from Gujarat, also died, said additional SP headquarters Brijesh Soni said. The bus owner, Yunus Bhai, was in the bus when the accident took place. Gaffur was his uncle.
A police complaint has been registered against the driver of the truck under relevant sections of IPC and a manhunt has been launched against him, said Soni.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident in Udaipur.
“PM@narendramodi expressed grief on the loss of lives due to the accident in Udaipur. He extends condolences to the families of the deceased,” the PMO tweeted. “PM @narendramodi wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident in Udaipur,” it added.