At least 12 people from Gujarat were killed and 11 injured after a trailer rear-ended their bus in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district in the wee hours on Wednesday, said reports.
The Gujarat bus began its journey from Dihor, Bhav Nagar and was heading to Mathura in Uttar Pradesh via Jaipur-Agra National Highway. It stopped at Hantra flyover in the Lakhanpur area after one of its tyres burst. The repair work was going on when the trailer hit the bus from behind around 4.30 am and dragged it 30 metres, reports said.
Some passengers were inside the bus and others were standing outside. Five men and six women died on the spot while another died later. The deceased were identified as Antu, Nandram, Lallu, Bharat, Lalji, his wife Madhuben, Ambaben, Kambuben, Ramuben, Anjuben and Madhuben. One of the victims who died was yet to be identified.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the incident. The President tweeted, “I am deeply saddened by the news of a bus full of devotees going from Gujarat to Uttar Pradesh meeting with an accident in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan and the death of many passengers. I express my condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
The PM announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the wounded. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
