Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next kin of the deceased and free treatment for those injured in the bus accident in Buldhana on the Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway on July 1.
Shinde has announced the compensation from the Chief Minister’s relief fund. “Expressing condolences to the deceased and their families in this unfortunate incident, the Chief Minister has announced an assistance of Rs 5 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of the deceased,” an official statement from the CM office said.
The Maharashtra CM has also ordered a probe into the accident which claimed many lives.
Stating that he was distressed by the horrific accident, the Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those who died in the bus accident.
He has also announced Rs 50,000 to those who were injured in the mishap.
“Deeply saddened by the devastating bus mishap in Buldhana, Maharashtra. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF (Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the bus mishap in Buldhana. Rs 50,000 would be given to the injured,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted quoting PM Modi.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his grief over the accident and called it “heartbreaking”.
“The road accident in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district is heartbreaking. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this horrific accident. Quick treatment is being provided to the injured by the administration. I pray to God for his speedy recovery,” he said in a tweet.
A total of 26 people, including three children have died in the accident after a bus travelling from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal to Pune caught fire in Buldhana on the Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway.
Further, on July 1 Maharashtra police authorities said that tyre burst was the main cause behind the fatal bus accident in which 25 people, including three children, were killed and eight others were injured in Buldhana district.
Officials said that the driver told the police that the accident took place after a tyre burst, causing the bus to overturn. Later the diesel tank of the bus caught fire.
“The driver of the bus who survived the accident said that the vehicle overturned after a tyre burst, and later caught fire killing 25 people on the spot and leaving 8 others injured,” said Buldhana SP Sunil Kadasane.
“There are 3 children among those who died and the rest are adults. Those injured in the accident have been taken to Buldhana Civil Hospital and admitted there,” he said.
“We are further looking into the matter,” he added.
According to officials, the bus was travelling from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal to Pune and met with an accident on the Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway in Maharashtra’s Buldhana at around 1:30 am on July 1.
“The time when the accident occurred it was late night and people were sleeping. Many people could not come out and they died. Some people who could get out after the bus caught fire somehow survived and the rest died,” they said.
“The most important thing in the investigation is that we identify the dead and hand over the bodies to their families,” they added.
The incident happened around 2 am on July 1. “25 bodies are extracted from the bus. A total of 32 people were travelling in the bus. 6-8 people are injured. Injured are being shifted to Buldhana Civil Hospital,” said Buldhana Police Deputy SP Baburao Mahamuni.
“While giving instructions to provide immediate help to the accident victims, the Chief Minister also directed to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured at government expense,” the statement further added.
As per the police officials, the driver who survived the accident said that it occurred after a tyre burst leading to flames in the bus.
According to the police officials, a total of 33 people were travelling in the bus which was on its way to Pune.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while taking to Twitter expressed his condolence and prayed for the speedy recovery of those who are undergoing treatment.
“The accident of a private bus of Vidarbha Travels going to Pune at Pimpalkhuta in Buldhana district killing 25 people is very shocking and heart-wrenching. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. 8 people were injured in this incident and they have been admitted to hospital in Sindkhedaraja. The condition of the injured is out of danger. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased in this accident. The state government will bear the cost of treatment of the injured,” Fadnavis said.
He further said that the State Government is in touch with the district as well as the police administration.
“According to preliminary information given by the Superintendent of Police, the bus hit a bridge after which the diesel tank burst and the vehicle caught fire,” he added.
(with inputs from ANI)
