BATHINDA: A tragic bus accident in Punjab's Bathinda claimed the lives of at least eight people on Friday, with five passing away instantly and three succumbing to their injuries during treatment. The accident occurred near Jiwan Singh Wala village when a private bus traveling from Talwandi Sabo to Bathinda city skidded off a bridge and plunged into a drain, leaving the community in shock.
The incident has also left 18 passengers injured, all of whom are currently receiving treatment at the Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh Civil Hospital in Bathinda. Local authorities, including Bathinda Urban MLA Jagroop Singh Gill, have assured that every effort is being made to provide proper medical care to the injured. The district civil surgeon, Dr. Ramandeep Singla, briefed officials on the ongoing medical response during Gill's visit to the hospital.
Rescue efforts are being carried out by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and villagers who rushed to the scene immediately after the crash.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus crashed through the railing of the bridge before plunging into the drain. It was raining heavily at the time of the accident, which is suspected to have contributed to the mishap.
Top district officials, including Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray and Senior Superintendent of Police Amneet Kondal, are overseeing rescue operations and investigations. The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed, and efforts are ongoing to determine the exact number of passengers onboard when the accident occurred.
The Bathinda administration has expressed gratitude to the local villagers who acted swiftly to rescue several passengers from the wreckage. A detailed investigation is underway to uncover the cause of the accident and prevent such tragedies in the future.
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