Chhattisgarh: Bus carrying distillery company workers overturns, falls into 40-feet deep soil mine pit in Durg, 14 killed; President, PM express grief

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."

छत्तीसगढ़ के दुर्ग जिले में एक बस के दुर्घटनाग्रस्त होने से अनेक लोगों के हताहत होने का समाचार बहुत दुखद है। सभी शोक संतप्त परिवारों के प्रति मेरी गहन संवेदनाएं! मैं घायल हुए लोगों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करती हूँ।

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 9, 2024

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."

छत्तीसगढ़ के दुर्ग में हुआ बस हादसा अत्यंत दुखद है। इसमें जिन्होंने अपने प्रियजनों को खोया है, उनके प्रति मेरी संवेदनाएं। इसके साथ ही मैं घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं। राज्य सरकार की निगरानी में स्थानीय प्रशासन पीड़ितों की हरसंभव मदद में जुटा है।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2024

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.