45 dead as bus falls into canal in India
Tens of thousands of people are killed in road crashes in India every year
AT least 45 people were killed and several were missing after an overcrowded passenger bus fell into a canal in central India on Tuesday, police said.
The accident took place in Madhya Pradesh state’s Sidhi district after the driver reportedly lost control over the vehicle.
“We have recovered 45 bodies from the canal which is some 0 feet 9.1 metres deep. Seven people were rescued or managed to swim to safety,” senior police officer Anjulata Patle told dpa by phone from the scene.
“We are carrying on with rescue operations as 2- passengers are still missing,” she added.
The water supply to the canal was cut to help the rescue effort.
Disaster response teams later removed the bus from the canal with the help of two cranes.
Domestic media reported that the privately-operated bus that was travelling between two districts was overcrowded. It was carrying between 50 to 60 passengers although the vehicle had a capacity for some 5 passengers.
Police said they were investigating what caused the accident. The state government separately ordered an inquiry into the crash.
The News1 network reported that the driver had taken a detour to avoid a traffic jam. However he lost control of the vehicle which then plunged into the canal.
Indian leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their condolences, calling the accident “horrific.” The federal and state governments have announced compensation for the families of the victims and those who were injured.
Tens of thousands of people are killed in road crashes in India every year. The accidents are mostly blamed on poorly maintained roads and vehicles or negligent driving.