A devastating accident on the Nagpur-Mumbai super-expressway at Buldhana has resulted in the death of at least 25 passengers, with eight others sustaining injuries.
The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday when a private luxury bus operated by Vidarbha Travels, en route from Nagpur to Pune, caught fire after a major collision, officials confirmed.
According to a police official, the bus was reportedly speeding when it experienced a tire burst. Subsequently, it collided with an electric pole along the expressway, veered off the road, and overturned.
The impact caused a diesel tank explosion, engulfing the vehicle in flames and trapping the passengers inside.
Among the 33 individuals on board, including two drivers and a cleaner, eight injured individuals were rushed to the Buldhana civil hospital for medical treatment.
Expressing condolences for the victims, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have shared their sympathies.
Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar, National Working President Supriya Sule, General Secretary Dr. Jitendra Awhad, and other state leaders have also expressed their grief over the tragic incident.
Prime Minister Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs from the PMNRF for the families of the deceased, along with Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Chief Minister Shinde has declared a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs for each deceased person’s kin, along with free medical treatment for the injured.
In his message, Prime Minister Modi expressed deep sadness over the bus mishap, extending his thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims.
Sharad Pawar emphasized the need for stringent speed limits on the expressway, urging the government to take immediate action in addressing the issue.
Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that the police are currently investigating the cause of the accident. Fortunately, reports indicate that none of the injured individuals are in critical condition.
The accident scene paints a grim picture, with the charred remains of the luxury bus lying near the expressway.
The air is heavy with the odor of burnt bodies and the ashen wreckage. At dawn, the burnt bodies of the victims were recovered and placed in a designated area, covered with sheets.
Personal belongings of the passengers, including bags, clothes, papers, and files, were scattered across the vicinity.
Due to the severe burns suffered by most victims, the police plan to match their DNA with that of their relatives before releasing the bodies for the final rites.
Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis will visit the accident site to assess the situation and meet the injured individuals at the hospital. (Edited)