India bus crash kills 22, injures dozens after the driver reportedly falls asleep at the wheel

At least 22 people were killed and dozens injured when a bus crashed off a bridge in central India, officials said on Tuesday, after the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel.

The accident occurred around 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Indore, the largest city in central Madhya Pradesh state.

“Twenty-two people died due to impact and around 35 people are injured,” sub-divisional magistrate Omnarayan Singh told AFP.

Three children were among the dead, he said.

The bus was heading to Indore when it broke through the railing on the bridge and crashed into a dry river bed, the Times of India newspaper reported.

The bus driver had fallen asleep at the wheel before the crash and had fled from the scene, it said.

The bus broke the iron railing on the bridge and fell into a dry bed of the river.

Several passengers were crushed to death as the upper portion of the bus collided with dry rocky bed of the river.

Soon after the incident, the locals swung into action and started rescue operation.

The injured were rushed to hospitals in tractors trollies as ambulances reached the spot later.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said he has directed Khargone police and district administration to provide all help to those who got injured.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan discussed the issue in cabinet meeting and announced an ex-gratia of Rs400,000 to the kin of the deceased.

PM Modi condoles deaths in Khargone bus accident, announces ex-gratia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the bus accident and announced ex-gratia for the families of the deceased and the ones injured.

The Prime Minister announced financial assistance of Rs200,000 from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next kin of those deceased and Rs50,000 to the injured.

“The road accident in Khargone is very sad. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this. I wish the speedy recovery of all the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is providing all possible help on the spot,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted in Hindi.

“An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the bus accident in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” it said in another tweet.

Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar also expressed sorrow over the accident.

“The loss of lives in a bus accident in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh is extremely tragic. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the Vice President tweeted.