8 devotees killed, over 22 injured as bus overturns near Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab

FATEHGARH SAHIB: A tragic road accident near Bassi Pathana in Fatehgarh Sahib district claimed the lives of eight people, including the driver, and left more than 22 others injured when a bus carrying pilgrims overturned late Tuesday night. The victims were residents of Main Majra village and were returning from Baisakhi celebrations at Sri Anandpur Sahib when the accident occurred near Himmatpura village on the Morinda–Chunni road, just a few kilometres from their destination. According to ASI Balveer Singh of Bassi Pathana police station, the deceased include the driver, identified as village Granthi Iqbal Singh. He was driving the bus at the time of the accident while ferrying devotees back to the Gurdwara Sahib in Main Majra village, he said. ASI Balveer further said that around 12 injured were referred to PGIMER Chandigarh.Police confirmed that the distance between Himmatpura and Main Majra is approximately 3–4 kilometres, and the pilgrims were on the verge of reaching home when the tragedy struck. Bus overturns; cause under probe Preliminary investigation suggests that the bus overturned on the main road. Authorities have clarified that the vehicle did not collide with any electric pole, ruling out earlier speculation of electrocution. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, with officials examining the mechanical condition of the bus and other possible factors. However, some villagers claimed that potholes on the road may have led to the driver losing control of the vehicle at night. Eight occupants, including the driver, lost their lives in the mishap. More than 22 injured passengers, including women and children, were rushed to hospitals in Morinda and Fatehgarh Sahib, while critically injured victims were referred to PGIMER Chandigarh. Local residents were among the first to reach the accident site and played a crucial role in rescuing trapped passengers before emergency services arrived. The deaths have cast a pall of gloom over Main Majra village, as entire families and community members mourn the sudden loss of their loved ones. The fact that the victims were just minutes away from home after a religious journey has deepened the grief. Police have initiated a detailed investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to the accident. "The news of the accident caused by a bus overturning in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. I pray that the injured recover swiftly," President Droupadi Murmu posted on X.