Some tragic news that has hit a state in Central India. 48 people are dead in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district, about 560 km from the capital Bhopal, after a bus fell off a bridge into a canal this morning.
More than 50 passengers were on the bus when the driver lost control of the vehicle at around 7:30 am.
State Disaster Response Force and other officials began a quick rescue operation in the morning which lasted for about 5 hours. Paramedics, ambulances, and doctors were also rushed to the scene.
Over 40 dead in a major accident in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi after a bus carrying 50 passengers plunged into a canal. @anuraag_niebpl pic.twitter.com/NELxUBhKQs
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) February 16, 2021
Bus accident in MP’s Sidhi is horrific. Condolences to the bereaved families. The local administration is actively involved in rescue and relief work: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 16, 2021
The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed his thoughts on the bus tragedy via video message on Twitter.
मुझे जानकारी दी गई कि सीधी बस दुर्घटना का रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन पूरा हो गया है।
— Office of Shivraj (@OfficeofSSC) February 16, 2021
यह दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है कि हमारे 45 भाई-बहनों की इस हादसे में जान चली गई, उनके पार्थिव शरीर निकाले जा चुके हैं। पार्थिव शरीरों को ससम्मान उनके गांव भेजने के निर्देश दे दिये हैं।: सीएम श्री @ChouhanShivraj pic.twitter.com/zKHvqKyfUa
The state government cancelled a key event in view of the accident, which was to be virtually attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Minister Shah also tweeted about the accident over Twitter.
मध्य प्रदेश के सीधी जिले में हुआ बस हादसा बहुत दुःखद है, मैंने मुख्यमंत्री @ChouhanShivraj जी से बात की है। स्थानीय प्रशासन राहत व बचाव के लिए हर संभव मदद पहुंचा रहा है। मैं मृतकों के परिजनों के प्रति गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूँ व घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूँ।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 16, 2021
The Home Minister was scheduled to attend the event at 11 am for the beneficiaries of over 100,000 houses constructed in Madhya Pradesh under the centre's Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Photo courtesy of LiveMint.
Video courtesy of Twitter-The New India Express