Tragedy struck in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh, India, as a passenger bus carrying several individuals plunged off a bridge, resulting in the loss of lives and injuries. The incident occurred in the Oon police station area when the bus was en route to Indore from its departure point. The bus crashed through the railing of the Borad river bridge near Dongargaon, about 34 kilometers away from the district headquarters. Tragically, there was no water in the river beneath.
According to Rakesh Mohan Shukla, the Khargone Sub-Divisional Officer (police), the accident happened at approximately 9:15 am, claiming the lives of 15 people, including three children. The injured passengers were promptly rushed to the district hospital in Khargone for medical treatment. The bus driver is currently unaccounted for, and preliminary information suggests that he may have fallen asleep at the wheel, leading to a loss of control over the vehicle. As a result, the bus overturned after plunging from the bridge.
Local villagers acted heroically, swiftly coming to the aid of the injured passengers. They managed to push the overturned bus back onto its wheels and rescue those in need before the arrival of the police. District collector Shivraj Singh Verma, superintendent of police DS Yadav, and other officials promptly arrived at the scene to oversee the rescue operations and provide necessary assistance.
Expressing his condolences, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took to Twitter to mourn the lives lost in this tragic accident. The government of Madhya Pradesh has also taken immediate action by announcing financial compensation for the affected individuals. The families of the deceased will receive Rs 4 lakh each, while those seriously injured will be granted Rs 50,000 each. Those with minor injuries will receive Rs 25,000 each as compensation.
The incident serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for drivers to remain alert and focused while operating vehicles. The government, along with relevant authorities, should continue to emphasize and enforce stringent measures to ensure the safety of all road users. It is hoped that lessons can be learned from this unfortunate event to prevent similar accidents in the future.