At least eight people were killed, and more than 17 were injured after a bus overturned on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan’s Kota on Saturday. The bus was carrying at least 27 passengers.
The accident occurred at around 6 am near pole number 384 on the expressway under Simliya police station limits. The minibus was going from Bhopal to Khatu Shyam Ji temple in Khatoor, Rajasthan.
According to preliminary information, the vehicle lost control after the driver dozed off, and the vehicle plunged through the railing and into a ditch about 15 feet deep.
The accident erupted into chaos. Local villagers were the first to arrive and assist the passengers.
Eight people have been brought dead so far. All critical patients have been shifted to the ICU, and their treatment has begun," District Collector Peeyush Samariya told ANI. Seven died on the spot while one of the injured died at the hospital. The bus driver was also reported dead.
Police later arrived at the scene and began rescue and relief operations. Cranes were deployed to retrieve the damaged vehicle and rescue passengers trapped inside.
Villagers told local news that the bus was so damaged that bodies were stuck between he seats and that retrieving the bodies was difficult.
Doctors said that surviving passengers suffered from serious head injuries. Many also fractured their arms and legs.
