School’s licence cancelled as bus accident toll rises to 25

PM MODI, CONGRESS LEADER SONIA SEND MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE AFTER UP TRAGEDY

T he number of deaths in a road accident in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, in which a speeding truck collided with a school bus early yesterday, had risen to 25, police said.

More than 30 children were being treated for injuries at various hospitals, with the condition of seven said to be critical.

The Etah District Magistrate has ordered a probe into the incident and also cancelled the licence of the JS Public school for violating the government order to close schools from January 18 to January 21 owing to cold wave and poor weather conditions.

The bus was carrying 61 children to the school when a sandladen truck rammed into it head-on, along the Patiali Road near Aliganj. The children in the school bus were aged 4-11 years and were students ranging from Lower KG to Class 7.

District Magistrate Shambhunath said a case has also been filed against the management of the school for violating the orders issued on Wednesday regarding closure of schools.

Treatment of injured

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and sate BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya have mourned the loss of innocent lives in the tragedy.

The chief minister has asked the Divisional Commissioner and other district officials to ensure prompt treatment for those injured in the accident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, condoled the deaths.

“Anguished by the tragic accident... I share the pain of the bereaved families and condole passing away of young children,” Modi said in a tweet.

“I pray that those injured in the accident in Etah recover at the earliest,” he added.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the Home Minister and the Congress chief.

“Deeply saddening to learn of the loss of many precious lives in a road accident in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh, this morning,” Rajnath Singh wrote on Twitter.

“My heart goes out to the families of those children who lost their lives in this tragedy. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he added.

Sonia Gandhi expressed sympathy towards the affected families and said guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court should be followed.

She also wished speedy recovery to the injured.

BJP President Amit Shah said he was “pained beyond words” by the loss of lives in the tragic road accident.

AFP Bystanders gather near the scene of a bus crash in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, yesterday. At least 25 people were killed, most of them schoolchildren, and dozens more injured when a school bus collided with a truck, police said. The driver of the bus also died.