10 killed, over 20 injured as bus collides with mini-truck in M.P.’s Chhindwara

At least 10 people have been killed, and about 25 injured after a bus they were travelling in met with an accident and overturned in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, police said. 

The bus was carrying people back from a government event attended by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, officers said. 

According to the police, the incident took place around 7.15 p.m. on the Nagpur highway near Umranala village, about 25 km from the district headquarters, under the Mohkhed police station range when the private bus, carrying more than 40 passengers, collided head on with a loading mini-truck and overturned. 

Chhindwara Superintendent of Police, City, Ajay Rana told The Hindu that 10 people had died so far, including three women and a child, and that all the injured had been brought to the District Hospital. 

Mr. Yadav attended a government function to launch development works worth over ₹500 crore as well as a religious event in Chhindwara. 

Another police officer said the victims had attended the government functions in Chhindwara city that got over around 6 p.m. and were returning to their villages.

“Three patients in critical condition have been referred to Nagpur [Maharashtra],” the officer added. 

Mr. Yadav expressed grief over the deaths and said a team of doctors had been sent from Jabalpur to Chhindwara and Nagpur.

“The road accident that occurred on the Chhindwara-Nagpur road this evening is heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the affected families. I pray to the Almighty that He grant peace to the souls of all the departed. I wish for the swift recovery of the injured,” he said on X.

“I have instructed the officials to make proper arrangements for the treatment of the injured. A team of doctors from Jabalpur has been directed to be sent to Chhindwara and Nagpur. The Minister in-charge of Chhindwara, Rakesh Singh ji, has also been directed to alter his schedule and reach Chhindwara,” Mr. Yadav added. 

The Chief Minister said the injured would be treated free of cost and announced financial assistance to the victims’ families. 

“The immediate family members of the deceased will be provided with assistance of ₹4 lakh each, and the seriously injured will receive assistance of ₹1 lakh each. Treatment for all the injured will be provided free of cost. A control room has been set up in the Health Department in Bhopal, from where continuous monitoring of the treatment of all the injured is being carried out,” he said.