- Wednesday, March 12, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
AT least 13 people lost their lives on Monday (18) when the bus they were travelling on towards a destination in the western Indian state of Maharashtra fell into the Narmada river in Dhar district of the neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh, a senior government official said.
Fifteen passengers of the ill-fated vehicle were rescued, said Narottam Mishra, the home minister of Madhya Pradesh.
The bus, which belongs to Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), was believed to be carrying 30-32 people, more than 12 of whom reportedly boarded it from Indore in Madhya Pradesh.
The tragedy happened when the vehicle hit the railing of a bridge over the river on National Highway 3 (connecting Agra in Uttar Pradesh with Mumbai in Maharashtra) near Khalgat, located close to the border between Dhar and Khargone districts of Madhya Pradesh, and fell into the river below.
The Press Trust of India cited sources in the MSRTC saying that the bus had left Indore around 7.30 am local time and was going to Pune in Maharashtra, located more than 600 kilometres south west.
Rajesh Rajora, additional chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh home department, told PTI that 12 bodies were retrieved from the bus. He also said that National Disaster Response Force personnel were deployed on the spot. Later, reports said the toll went up to 13.
Pawan Kumar Sharma, Indore division commissioner, revenue, asked the collectors of Dhar and Khargone districts to go to the spot and oversee the rescue operation, official sources said.
The river had a strong current when the accident took place, it was said. Mangled remains of the bus were later fished out of the water with the help of a crane.
#BreakingNews
Major accident in Madhya Pradesh, 13 killed, more than 25 missing . #Narmada #MPBusAccident #MPNews Passenger bus falls in Narmada river नर्मदा नदी #हर_हर_महादेव
May Har Har Mahadev grant peace to the departed souls . ??
?? My Deepest Condolences ??? pic.twitter.com/HcGAReTg0j— Suchitra Das (@Suchitra_Dass) July 18, 2022
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan spoke with his Maharashtra counterpart Eknath Shinde and Indian home minister Amit Shah to inform them about the incident.
“Chouhan assured Shinde that the MP government will send the bodies of the victims to Maharashtra with due respect,” an official said quoting Chouhan.
He also told Shinde that a state minister was at the spot to oversee the rescue operation. Officials concerned from Jalgaon also rushed to the accident spot.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident, and said the state government and the MSRTC were coordinating with the MP administration for the rescue operation and treatment of the injured.
“I am also in touch with Dhar collector and the state transport administration,” Fadanvis said, adding the search and rescue operation was being carried out rapidly.
He expressed condolence to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured passengers.
The bus was reportedly more than 10 years old and its fitness certificate was about to expire on July 27 this year, a transport official in Maharashtra said.
The MSRTC has also set up a helpline for citizens and they can dial 022-23023940 to get information about the accident and their relatives who were on board the bus.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed condolences over the bus accident.
“The bus tragedy in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh is saddening. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. Rescue work is underway and local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected,” the prime minister’s Office tweeted quoting Modi.
The bus tragedy in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh is saddening. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. Rescue work is underway and local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 18, 2022
