Tyre burst caused Buldhana bus accident in which 25 died, say police; PM, Maha CM announce relief

BULDHANA (Maharashtra): Maharashtra police authorities on Saturday said that a tyre burst was the main cause behind the fatal bus accident in which 25 people, including three children, were killed and eight others were injured in Buldhana district.

Officials said that the driver told the police that the accident took place after a tyre burst, causing the bus to overturn. Later, the diesel tank of the bus caught fire.

“The driver of the bus, who survived the accident, said that the vehicle overturned after a tyre burst, and later caught fire, killing 25 people on the spot and leaving 8 others injured”, Buldhana SP Sunil Kadasane said.

“There are three children among those who died and the rest are adults. Those injured in the accident have been taken to Buldhana Civil Hospital and admitted there,” he said. “We are further looking into the matter”, he added.

According to officials, the bus was travelling from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal to Pune and met with an accident on the Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway in Maharashtra’s Buldhana around 1:30 am on Saturday.

“It was late night when the accident occurred and people were sleeping. Many people could not come out and they died. Some people who could get out after the bus caught fire somehow survived and the rest died”, they said.

The authorities have decided to conduct DNA tests to ascertain the identity of the victims. With bodies being charred beyond recognition, it seems to have become difficult for the police to identify the victims of the Buldhana bus accident, prompting authorities to conduct DNA tests.

“Twenty five people have lost their lives in the accident. Identification of the bodies is being done. We will hand over the bodies to the relatives after the DNA identification”, Buldhana District Collector Dr H P Tummod said.

According to officials, the bus was travelling from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal to Pune and met with an accident in Buldhana on the Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway. A total of 33 people were travelling in the bus which was on its way to Pune.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those who died in the bus accident. He has also announced Rs 50,000 to those who were injured in the mishap.

“Deeply saddened by the devastating bus mishap in Buldhana, Maharashtra. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF (Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the bus mishap in Buldhana. Rs 50,000 would be given to the injured”, the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted quoting PM Modi.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his grief over the accident and called it “heartbreaking”. “The road accident in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district is heartbreaking. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this horrific accident. Quick treatment is being provided to the injured by the administration. I pray to God for his speedy recovery”, he said in a tweet.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh. Stating that he was distressed by the horrific accident, the Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

“While giving instructions to provide immediate help to the accident victims, the Chief Minister also directed to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured at government expense”, a statement said.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, taking to Twitter, expressed his condolence and prayed for the speedy recovery of those who are undergoing treatment.

“The accident of a private bus of Vidarbha Travels going to Pune at Pimpalkhuta in Buldhana district killing 25 people is very shocking and heart-wrenching. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. 8 people were injured in this incident and they have been admitted to hospital in Sindkhedaraja. The condition of the injured is out of danger. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased in this accident. The state government will bear the cost of treatment of the injured”, Fadnavis said.

He further said that the state government is in touch with the district as well as the police administration. “According to preliminary information given by the Superintendent of Police, the bus hit a bridge after which the diesel tank burst and the vehicle caught fire”, he added.