2-Year-Old Girl Among 8 Killed After Speeding Bus Falls Into Drain In Bathinda

Bathinda News: Eight people lost their lives, including a two-year-old girl, and several others were injured on Friday when a private bus crashed through the railing of a bridge and fell into a drain in Bathinda, Punjab. The bus, which had over 45 passengers onboard, was enroute from Talwandi Sabo to Bathinda when the accident occurred near Jeewan Singhwala village.

According to police and district administration officials, locals immediately rushed to the scene to help the injured passengers. Eight individuals were confirmed dead at the site. The authorities quickly launched a rescue operation, with ambulances and medical teams arriving to assist the victims, news agency PTI reported. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, and a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was also deployed to the location.

Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray, who arrived at the scene to supervise the rescue operation, confirmed the fatalities. “Eight people have died unfortunately, including a two-year-old girl. Five of them were in Talwandi hospital, while the other three succumbed to injuries in the civil hospital in Bathinda. Out of the eight, five have been identified, while three remain unidentifiable. The bus was travelling at high speed, and the driver lost control. All the help that the government can provide will be extended to the families,” Parray told news agency ANI.

Amneet Kondal, SSP Bathinda, informed, “46 passengers were rescued. 8 deaths are confirmed as of now. The health conditions of others are normal…”

Bathinda Bus Accident: PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex Gratia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the tragic loss. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Saddened by the loss of lives in the bus accident in Bathinda, Punjab. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.” The Prime Minister also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of each deceased, and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann informed, “The administration’s team is present on the spot. The injured have been rushed to the hospital, rescue work is going on, updates are being taken moment by moment. I pray to God for the peace of the departed souls and the speedy recovery of the injured passengers.”

President Droupadi Murmu also stated, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of many people in a bus accident in Bathinda, Punjab. I express my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families and pray to God for the speedy recovery of all those injured in the accident.” 

According to PTI, officials mentioned that inclement weather was reported in the area at the time of the accident, although the exact cause is yet to be determined.