Raipur: The death toll in a bus accident in Kumhari of Durg district in Chhattisgarh has increased to 14 after more injured succumbed, police sources said on Wednesday.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chhattisgarh CM expressed grief and condoled the loss of lives in the Tuesday evening accident.
According to the police, a bus carrying around 40 employees of Kedia Distillery near Kumhari lost control near Murum mine and fell into a 40-feet deep soil mine pit on Tuesday around 8.30 pm near Khapri village.
The bus skidded off the road and plunged into the Murum mine, an official said.
'The accident has resulted in 14 deaths, including four women, and the condition of others injured remains critical,' police added. The injured were admitted to hospitals in Kumhari, Durg, and Raipur.
President Murmu took to her official X handle to mourn the victims: "The news of many people getting killed in a bus accident in Durg district of Chhattisgarh is very sad. My deepest condolences to all the bereaved families! I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured."
Taking to X, PM Modi posted, "The bus accident in Durg, Chhattisgarh, is extremely sad. My condolences to those who lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way."
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has also expressed grief over the Kumhari bus accident. He has directed the administration to provide proper treatment to the people injured.
As per local reports, there are 20-feet deep ditches on both sides of the road that the bus was ferrying on. Depite taking the same route the bus driver lost control and the vehicle overturned. One of the injured passengers told the media that the headlights were not working.