Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu offered condolences to the families of the deceased after at least 12 people were killed and 14 injured, all workers in a private firm, as a bus carrying them fell into a 'murum' soil mine pit in Chhattisgarh's Durg district on Tuesday night.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to express his grief over the loss of lives in the accident.
"The bus accident that happened in Durg, Chhattisgarh is very painful. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration has been engaged in providing all possible assistance to the victims," he said in a post on X.
President Droupadi Murmu said, "I am deeply saddened by the news of deaths of several people in a bus accident in Durg district of Chhattisgarh. My deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. I wish for speedy recovery of the injured."
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said adequate arrangements have been made for treatment of the injured people.
"Received the news about the death of employees of a private company in a bus accident. I pray that departed souls rest in peace and may God give strength to the bereaved family members," Sai said.
According to Durg Superintendent of Police Jitendra Shukla, the incident took place at around 8.30 pm near Khapri village under Kumhari Police Station limits when the victims were returning home after work from a distillery, reported PTI.
As per the preliminary information, the bus which was carrying more than 30 people skidded off the road and plunged into the 40 feet deep 'murum' mine, he said. Murum is a type of soil that is mainly used for construction.
"12 people, including three women, were killed in the accident," Shukla said who earlier put the death toll at 15. "10 out of the total injured are in serious conditions and being shifted to AIIMS," he said while speaking to repoters late night,
ALSO READ: 11 Dead, Over 20 Injured As Bus Falls Into 40-Ft-Deep Mine Pit In Chhattisgarh's Durg District
A police team and the teams of the State Disaster Response Force reached the spot soon after being alerted and launched a rescue operation along with locals, Shukla said.
A magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident, said Durg Collector Richa Prakash Choudhary.
"The bus was carrying workers of Kediya Distilleries located in the Kumhari area. So far the deaths of 12 people have been confirmed. Of the 14 injured, 12 have been taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, while two others are undergoing treatment at a hospital here," she said.
The collector said that the company has offered compensation to the victims and they will also get similar help from the administration.
Visuals from the spot showed the bus overturned after falling while the rescuers toiled hard initially amid the darkness.