Yamuna Expressway accident: Delhi-bound bus falls into canal; 29 killed
What's the story
At least 29 people have been killed and 17 injured when a Delhi-bound double-decker bus in which they were traveling in fell into a canal on the Yamuna Expressway near on Monday morning.
There were around 50 passengers on the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) bus.
The bus was reportedly coming from Lucknow to Delhi; the accident occurred near Agra.
Here's more.
Twitter Post
The bus fell into a 'jharna nalla': ANI
#UPDATE 29 persons dead after a bus carrying around 40 passengers fell into 'jharna nalla' on Yamuna Expressway in Agra. Rescue operation underway. pic.twitter.com/mAnY9pUsgX
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 8, 2019
Details
Bus fell after hitting the railing on expressway: Agra SSP
Babloo Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police for Agra, has reportedly confirmed that a UPSRTC Janrath bus which was on its way to Delhi from Lucknow fell into a gorge at around 5:00 am on Monday.
He said the bus fell off the Yamuna Expressway after it hit the railing on the expressway near Etmadpur in Agra.
Information
Families of victims can call on this number
Agra SSP Kumar said that the families of passengers who were traveling on the bus can get details about their relatives by calling on 9454402732. Police and disaster relief teams had reached the accident site immediately. Senior district officers are at the hospital, Kumar added.
Reason
'A case of steering jam or the driver losing focus'
According to officials, the exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained; investigations are on.
District Magistrate Ravi Kumar said, "Maybe it was a case of steering jam or the driver losing focus."
However, a preliminary inquiry found that the bus driver had fallen asleep and lost control following which the vehicle hit the expressway railing and fell into the canal.
Information
UPSRTC announced an ex gratia of Rs. 5 lakh
Meanwhile, the UPSRTC has announced that it will pay an ex gratia of Rs. 5 lakh each to the families of those who were killed in the accident. The doctors have so far declared 29 people dead; rescue operations are still underway.
UP CM
UP CM Adityanath takes cognizance of bus accident; expresses grief
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the Yamuna Expressway accident involving the UPSRTC bus of the Awadh Depot.
The Chief Minister has "expressed his grief and condolences at the death of the passengers," reported news agency ANI.
He has also directed the District Magistrate and SSP to provide all possible medical attention to those who were injured.
Twitter Post
UP's Deputy CM and Transport Minister to visit the site
CM Yogi Adityanath has requested Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma Minister of State for Transport Swatantra Dev Singh to immediately visit the site of the bus accident in Agra and visit the injured in the hospital to oversee their medical care. https://t.co/prQ67QnJTw
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 8, 2019