Bus mishap toll rises to almost 60

Rewa, MP, Oct 19 (UNI) At least 56 passengers, including 17 women and 15 children, were today killed when their bus plunged into a 35 feet-deep pond in Govindgarh town near Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh, police said.

Additional Superintendent of Police Rakesh Jain said bodies of 56 passengers were fished out, while divers were continuing search operation.

The bus was heading from Hinauta in Satna to Rewa when it lost balance and fell into the pond at around 1000 hrs.

Most of the passengers were labourers, who were going to their home to celebrate Diwali. Efforts were on to identify the deceased.

Senior officials were supervising rescue operations.

The Madhya Pradesh Government announced ex-gratia of Rs 75,000 each to the family members of the deceased.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed grief over the tragedy and assured all possible assistance to the family members of the deceased.

Following his instructions, divers from Indore have been pressed into service to aid in the rescue operation.

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