A mini-bus overturned near Sagran village in the Hoshiarpur district, Punjab, on Monday, resulting in the deaths of nine people and injuries to 33 others, police confirmed, reported news agency PTI.
According to the officials a car was also involved in the incident.
Mukerian Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kulwinder Singh Virk, stated that the bus, carrying approximately 40 passengers, was en route to Dasuya from Hajipur town when the accident occurred. While the police indicated that the driver is believed to have lost control of the vehicle, however the precise cause of the accident is still umkown and a thorough investigation have been launched.
The injured passengers were immediately admitted to Dasuya Civil Hospital for medical treatment. Upon receiving news of the tragedy, Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain and Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Malik promptly arrived in Dasuya to oversee the critical rescue and relief operations, reported PTI.
However following the accident, the Deputy Commissioner Jain announced that the government would provide an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those who sustained serious injuries. She further added that the government would also cover the complete medical expenses for all injured individuals.
“At the accident site, an Alto car and the mini-bus were found damaged,” SSP Malik detailed.
“An investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accident occurred due to overspeeding, overloading, or a technical fault. Further action will be taken based on the probe findings.”
Meanwhile, the deceased have been identified by Dr. Manmohan Singh, the civil hospital`s senior medical officer, as Raju Bala (5) and Meena (30), both from Budhabaar village; Love Kumar (50) from Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh; Gurmit Ram (65) from Haler village; Satwinder Kaur (55) from Jalal Chak village; Balbir Kaur (60) from Dasuya; Sanjeev Kumar (30) from Gurdaspur district; and Subag Rani (55) from Sahora village.
However, the identity of one male victim, aged around 50, is yet to be established, reported PTI.
Of the 33 individuals admitted to the hospital, three critically injured patients—Raj Rani (55) from Sahora, Sanjeev Singh (45) from Chakraal, and Khushi Mehta (22)—were referred to higher medical centres for specialised care, according to Dr. Singh. Moreover, six people were discharged after receiving first aid, while the condition of the remaining 24 injured was reported as stable.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed profound grief over the tragic incident.
(With inputs from PTI)