Bus plunges into gorge in UP – 29 dead, 18 injured
Agra,: At least 29 people were killed and 18 injured when a Uttar Pradesh Roadways Janrath AC bus fell into the Jharna nullah (gorge) on Yamuna Expressway early Monday morning.
The ill fated bus was carrying 44 passengers and was heading for Anand Vihar terminal from Lucknow.
As per preliminary reports, the bus fell from a height of 50 feet into the nullah after driver lost control due to his negligence.
The accident occurred at around 0430 hours. Among the dead 27 are males, one woman and a boy.
Senior officials of the district administration were rushed to the spot and rescue operations are still underway. Divers and excavators have been brought in for the rescue of injured passengers.
“It appears that the driver felt sleepy while driving. Till now 29 people have been declared dead and the rescue operation is underway. The bus fell from 50 feet into a gorge (naala),” Agra DM NG Ravi Kumar said.
“It is an unfortunate incident and efforts are on to rescue the survivors. Till now 29 bodies have been recovered and the survivors have been sent to hospital for treatment,” Bablu Kumar, SSP Agra told reporters.
The injured people told police that the bus hit the railing of the expressway and went straight into the gorge. The officials are trying to ascertain if the driver of the bus survived the accident.
Meanwhile, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident.
The state roadways has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to each of the deceased families.
UNI.