At least three persons were killed and 24 persons injured when a bus fell into a river from a bridge in Jharkhand's Giridih district on Saturday night. The accident took place at Giridih Dumri Road around 8.40 pm when the bus fell into the Barakar river while on way to Giridih from Ranchi, Giridih Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Anil Kumar told news agency PTI. "More details cannot be assessed right now as rescue and relief operations are being carried," the official said, as quoted by PTI.
A PTI report quoted Giridih Civil Surgeon, Dr SP Mishra as saying, "Three persons have been declared dead while 24 are injured in the incident." Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the district administration and police are engaged in rescue operations.
Giridih Superintendent of Police Deepak Sharma informed that he was on the spot overseeing rescue operations, the report mentioned.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a tweet in Hindi said "Sad news has been received that a bus from Ranchi to Giridih met with an accident in the Barakar river in Giridih, Jharkhand. Rescue work is being done by the district administration."
Banna Gupta, Health and Disaster Management Minister, Jharkhand told news agency ANI: "A bus carrying passengers fell into a river in Giridih. District administration has started the rescue operation. Giridih Deputy Commissioner has been instructed to expedite the rescue operation. All necessary medical facilities will be provided. The government is taking necessary action."
The exact number of passengers on the bus is yet to be ascertained.