Bus plunges into pond: 62 bodies recovered

Rewa (MP), Oct 20 (UNI) Divers pulled out 62 bodies today from a pond at Govindgarh town in Rewa district, where a speeding bus fell yesterday.

Police claimed the bodies of all victims had been recovered and handed over to the next of kin, completing resue operations.

A speeding private bus coming here from Hinauta in Satna district fell into a pond in Govindgarh town yesterday. Only 8 passengers managed to escape as the bus fell into 35-feet deep water.

Police said a case was registered against bus owner Bharatmani Tiwari for running the bus without a permit.

State Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi who visited the spot distributed ex-gratia of Rs one lakh each to the relatives of 12 deceased. The District Collector would disperse aid to others.

For those belonging to below poverty line, additional assistance of Rs 10,000 would be given from the National Family Assistance Scheme.

Majority of the victims were labourers, going with the family members to their native places for the Diwali, police said.

Divers from Indore and Allahabad were also deployed in search of bodies. The bus was taken out last night itself.

UNI XC-SP DKB BD1811