Bathinda: 2-Year-Old Girl Among 8 Killed After Speeding Bus Falls Into Drain, PM Modi Announces Ex Gratia

Bathinda News: A bus accident claimed the lives of eight people, including a two-year-old girl, and injured several others. The bus, carrying over 45 passengers, crashed into a bridge railing and fell into a drain.

Representational Image | The bus, which had over 45 passengers onboard, was en route from Talwandi Sabo to Bathinda when the accident occurred.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

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.

#WATCH | In a bus accident, 8 people lost their lives in Punjab's Bathinda

Deputy Commissioner Bathinda, Showkat Ahmad Parray says, " 8 people have died unfortunately, including a 2-year-old girl - 5 of them were in Talwandi hospital, other three people lost their lives in the… pic.twitter.com/VeHicDNkyf

— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2024

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

#WATCH | Amneet Kondal, SSP Bathinda, says, "46 passengers were rescued. 8 deaths are confirmed as of now. The health conditions of others are normal..." pic.twitter.com/7SVZOpXbwR

— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2024

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.

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.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000:…

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 27, 2024

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."

ਬਠਿੰਡਾ ਦੇ ਤਲਵੰਡੀ ਸਾਬੋ ਰੋਡ ‘ਤੇ ਪੈਂਦੀ ਲਸਾੜਾ ਡਰੇਨ ‘ਚ ਇੱਕ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਬੱਸ ਦੇ ਹਾਦਸਾਗ੍ਰਸਤ ਹੋਣ ਦੀ ਦੁਖਦਾਈ ਖ਼ਬਰ ਮਿਲੀ। ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਟੀਮਾਂ ਮੌਕੇ ‘ਤੇ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਨੇ। ਜ਼ਖ਼ਮੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਸਪਤਾਲ ਪਹੁੰਚਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਬਚਾਅ ਕਾਰਜ ਜਾਰੀ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਪਲ ਪਲ ਦੀ ਅਪਡੇਟ ਲੈ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ।

ਮੈਂ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਅੱਗੇ ਵਿੱਛੜੀਆਂ ਰੂਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਆਤਮਿਕ…

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) December 27, 2024

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." 

बठिंडा, पंजाब में एक बस दुर्घटना में अनेक लोगों की मृत्यु के समाचार से मुझे गहरा दुख हुआ। मैं सभी शोक संतप्त परिवारों के प्रति गहन संवेदना व्यक्त करती हूं और ईश्वर से प्रार्थना करती हूं कि इस दुर्घटना में घायल हुए सभी लोग शीघ्र स्वस्थ हों।

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 27, 2024

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.