21 killed in bus accident in Bihar

Hajipur, May 11 (UNI) At least 21 people were killed when a packed Patna-bound bus broke off the iron fencing of the Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge and plunged onto the river bed of Ganga in Vaishali District early today.

The state transport bus was on its way to Patna from Raxaul when the driver lost control of the vehicle and the bus fell off the bridge breaking the fencing at 0330 hrs.

The reason behind the accident is yet to be ascertained, Vaishali District Magistrate Lalan Singh said. A rescue operation was on.

One passenger succumbed to his injuries at the Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH).

The 11 seriously injured were admitted to the PMCH, while the rest were undergoing treatment at the local Sadar hospital, A team of doctors was rushed to Hajipur from PMCH to the accident spot, Mr Singh said.

Official sources said the toll might increase further as the condition of at least six more injured, including two children and as many women, was stated to be critical.

As the accident site was about 15 km away from the capital city, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi rushed to the spot to coordinate the rescue operation. He also visited the injured at the hospitals and assured all assistance to the victims and their families.

Meanwhile, attempts were being made to lift the wreckage from the dry river bed to find if more people were still trapped it.

The DMs of Motihari and Raxaul have been contacted to inform the relatives of the victims.

On hearing a loud sound people from nearby villages rushed to the accident spot and started the rescue operation. Later the police took charge of the situation.

Bihar Road Construction Minister Nand Kishore Yadav admitted that the boundary wall of the bridge, which is the longest bridge in Asia, is weak and has developed cracks at some places in its pillars. He assured to take all necessary steps to repair the wall.

Identity of five deceased have been established. They are Rajesh Kumar, the driver, Kedar Gupta, the cleaner, Brajesh Kumar and Bharat Bhusan Gupta, both from Raxaul and Ram Pravesh Singh from Mora talab of Nalanda District.

The identity of the rest of the deceased were being established.

State Transport Minister Ajit Kumar expressed grief over the accident and announced ex-gratia next of kin as per the rules.

UNI