In a devastating turn of events during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, at least eighteen devotees were killed and several others sustained serious injuries when a 32-seater bus carrying Kanwariyas collided head-on with a truck transporting LPG gas cylinders near the Jamuniya forest in Deoghar district.
The fatal crash took place around 4:30 AM on Tuesday (July 29) under the Mohanpur police station limits in the Dumka zone.
According to Inspector General Shailendra Kumar Sinha, the bus was en route with pilgrims participating in the annual Shravani Kanwar Yatra, a significant religious pilgrimage for Shaivite Hindus in the region, when the accident occurred.
“The impact of the collision was so severe that the front portion of the bus was completely crushed. Five people died on the spot, while others succumbed to injuries at the hospital,” said IG Sinha.
Rising death toll and critical injuries
While initial reports confirmed five fatalities, the death toll was later revised to eighteen by Traffic Deputy Superintendent of Police Laxman Prasad, who was present at the scene. Over a dozen injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals and primary health centers, with several said to be in critical condition.
Local ambulances and private vehicles were pressed into service as first responders tried to rescue those trapped inside the mangled bus. Medical teams at Deoghar Sadar Hospital and nearby PHCs have been put on alert, and additional staff have been called in to manage the influx of emergency cases.
District administration on high alert
District authorities have swung into action following the accident. Emergency protocols were activated, and senior administrative and police officials rushed to the spot. Rescue operations continued for hours as authorities ensured no one was left trapped under the wreckage.
“We are investigating the exact cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest possible brake failure or driver fatigue. The gas cylinder truck was also moving at considerable speed,” said a police official from Mohanpur station.
Black day for pilgrims
The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the Kanwar Yatra route. The Shravani Mela, held every year during the month of Shravan, witnesses lakhs of Kanwariyas from Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha walking to Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Many pilgrims prefer to travel by buses or trucks in large groups.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and devastation. “We were walking just behind the bus when we heard a massive crash. The bus was completely wrecked. People were screaming. It was a nightmare,” said Suresh Kumar, a fellow Kanwariya.
Local reactions
Leaders across the political spectrum expressed grief over the incident. Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and assured all necessary medical aid to the injured.
“This is an extremely unfortunate incident during a sacred pilgrimage. I have directed the district administration to provide all help to the victims’ families and ensure proper treatment for the injured,” said the CM in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
BJP MP from Godda, Nishikant Dubey, also visited the hospital to meet the injured and demanded compensation for the families of the deceased.
Past incidents highlight ongoing safety concerns
This is not the first time the Kanwar Yatra has witnessed tragedy. In past years too, accidents involving overloaded buses and fatigued drivers have led to numerous fatalities. Despite repeated calls for better regulation and monitoring during the religious season, unsafe transport methods remain a risk.
Road conditions in forested areas like Jamuniya are also known to be treacherous, especially in the pre-dawn hours when visibility is low.
