MP Bus Accident: 47 Dead As Rescue Operation Halts; PM & CM Announce Ex-Gratia

Around 58 passengers were on board the ill-fated bus that was en route from Sidhi to Satna. NDRF team has recovered 47 bodies from the canal.

A bus en route from Sidhi to Satna fell into a canal in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday that left 47 dead. District Magistrate Ravinder Chaudhary informed media persons that the rescue operation by NDRF has been halted and 47 bodies have been recovered.

"Rescue operation will resume tomorrow (Wednesday) morning as few people from the bus are still reportedly missing," said the DM who was present at the accident spot.    

7 people were rescued and admitted to the hospital after the accident. The condition of the injured remains critical. "At least seven persons swam to safety", said Umesh Joga, Inspector General (Rewa zone).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the bus accident in Sidhi. As per Prime Minister's Office, Rs 50,000 will be given to the injured.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for kin of the deceased.

58 passengers were on the bus

According to reports, around 58 passengers were on board the ill-fated bus that was en route from Sidhi to Satna. 39 passengers had booked tickets for the bus. Apart from this, some passengers boarded the bus on the way.

Police said the bus was to move from Chhuiya Valley area but the driver, who was later saved, took a detour to avoid a traffic jam. He lost control over the vehicle which then plunged into the canal.

State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and divers reached the spot in Sidhi and retrieved bodies. Water from the Bansagar canal was released into Sihawal Canal to lower its water level for the rescue operation.

Earlier, CM Shivraj has tweeted and said, "I am constantly discussing with the administration and people engaged in relief work on the unfortunate incident of Sidhi. It is very sad that people have lost their lives in the accident. The heart is filled with grief. Rescue work is going on continuously. The team of Collector, Commissioner, IG, SP, and SDRF is working on it."

In the wake of the mishap, the Madhya Pradesh government cancelled the grih pravesh or house-warming ceremony to be attended virtually by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.