Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh), March 26: At least 10 people were killed and around 35 injured after a private bus collided head-on with a mini-truck and overturned in Chhindwara district on Thursday evening, officials said.
The accident took place between 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. on the Chhindwara–Nagpur highway near Umranala village under Mohkhed police station limits. The bus, carrying more than 45 passengers, was returning from a government event attended by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
According to officials, both vehicles were moving at high speed when the bus attempted to overtake another vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision with the oncoming mini-truck. The impact caused the bus to overturn, trapping several passengers inside.
The deceased include the drivers of both vehicles, along with three women and a child. Around 35 injured persons were rushed to nearby hospitals, with some reported to be in critical condition. One critically injured patient was referred to Nagpur for advanced treatment. Authorities declared a medical emergency and launched a large-scale rescue operation involving ambulances and cranes.
Officials said the bus had been arranged by the administration to transport attendees from the government programme, which concluded earlier in the evening.
Expressing grief over the incident, Mr. Yadav termed the accident “heart-wrenching” and extended condolences to the victims’ families. He announced an ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for the seriously injured, while assuring free treatment for all those injured.
“I pray for peace to the departed souls and a speedy recovery of the injured. Treatment for all will be provided free of cost,” he said, adding that a team of doctors from Jabalpur had been dispatched to assist in Chhindwara and Nagpur. A control room has also been set up in Bhopal to monitor treatment.
Meanwhile, Jitu Patwari criticised the state government, calling the incident “a matter of collective shame” and alleging mismanagement and lack of safety arrangements. He further claimed that people were brought to the event under pressure and demanded a judicial probe and registration of an FIR against officials found responsible.
The incident has raised concerns over road safety and arrangements at large public gatherings in the state.
