Dhar Jul 18 : At least 12 people have died after a Maharashtra Roadways bus that they were travelling in fell off the Khalghat Sanjay Setu in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district on Monday.
Madhya Pradesh minister Narottam Mishra informed that 12 people have lost their lives while 15 have been rescued so far.
The bus, belonging to the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), was believed to be carrying 30 to 32 people, an official said. The bus broke the railing of a bridge on the National Highway No.3 (Agra-Mumbai road), situated close to Dhar and Khargone borders, and then fell into the river, he said.
The bus left from MP’s Indore city in the morning and was heading to Jalgaon district in Maharashtra, MSRTC officials said. Twelve bodies have been retrieved from the bus, MP Home Department’s Additional Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Rajora saidm adding that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has rushed to the spot.
The river current was strong, Narottam Mishra said, adding that the rescue operation was on.
Meanwhile, an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF has been announced for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the bus accident. Those injured would be given Rs. 50,000, PM Modi said.