At least 10 dead, 40 injured as bus overturns after collision in C’wara

Bhopal: At least 10 people were killed and another 40 injured after a bus collided with another vehicle and overturned in Chhindwara district on Thursday evening, police said.The accident took place around 7 pm near the Umranala–Simariya area. Such was the impact of the collision that the bus lost control and overturned on the road. The drivers of both vehicles were among the dead.The deceased were identified as Bhagwati, 40, Daulat, 40, Shakun, 45, Ramdas, 40, Ravi, 35, Ramesh, 55, Siya, 40, Kamal, 54, and Vansh, 7, while another person remained unidentified. Police said that the condition of one injured is serious but doctors say he would survive.The bus, carrying over 40 passengers, was returning from a function in Saunsar. Chief minister Mohan Yadav, who presided over an event in the area earlier in the day, condoled the loss of lives in the accident. He also directed PWD minister Rakesh Singh, who is also the district-in-charge for Chhindwara, to visit the families affected by the tragedy. The CM also directed immediate release of Rs 4 each to the next of kin of the deceased, while Rs 1 lakh each will be provided to the injured. The state govt will bear the cost of treatment of all the injured. A control room was set up in the Health department to monitor the treatment of all the injured.Several surviving passengers received serious injuries. Some victims suffered severe head injuries, while a woman and a child lost their hands in the crash, according to initial reports.SP Chhindwara Ajay Pandey told TOI, "A total of 10 people are confirmed dead, so far, while another 40 have sustained injuries. The bodies of victims, along with injured passengers, have been brought to Chhindwara district hospital."Police and officials of the local administration rushed to the spot after the accident. The exact cause of the accident is not clear yet, police said, adding that a probe was underway to ascertain the same.