At least 18 pilgrims lost their lives and 10 others were injured in a devastating road accident in India`s Jharkhand state.
The crash occurred near Jamunia village in Deoghar district when a passenger bus collided head-on with a truck loaded with gas cylinders.
The tragedy unfolded as thousands of pilgrims were traveling to the famous Baba Baidyanath temple during the ongoing Shravani Mela, an annual religious gathering in Deoghar.
According to NDTV, the accident took place on Monday night. Deoghar MP Nishikant Dubey confirmed the incident on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating:
"Eighteen pilgrims have died in a tragic bus-truck collision in my parliamentary constituency, Deoghar. May Baba Baidyanath give strength to the grieving families to bear this loss."
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus was carrying around 35 passengers, all en route to offer holy water at the temple, when it collided with the truck.
The impact was so severe that the bus was completely mangled, with several people dying at the scene.
Emergency response teams, including the police, ambulances, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), rushed to the site and began rescue operations.
Survivors and the injured were quickly transported to nearby primary health centers and Deoghar Sadar Hospital.
Authorities say several of the injured remain in critical condition. Efforts are ongoing to identify the deceased, and their bodies have been sent for post-mortem examinations.
