A devastating tragedy unfolded on Tuesday afternoon when an Amritsar-bound private bus plunged into the Sirhind feeder canal on the Muktsar-Kotkapura highway. The accident resulted in the loss of eight lives, while 11 passengers sustained injuries in the harrowing incident.
According to officials, the ill-fated bus, operated by a Gidderbaha-based private company, had departed from the Muktsar bus stand at approximately 1 pm with its destination set for Kotkapura. Tragedy struck just 25 minutes later when, at around 1.25 pm, the bus veered off the road and into the canal.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus driver appeared to have lost control over the vehicle, a situation potentially exacerbated by the rainy weather conditions prevailing at the time. Furthermore, concerns were raised about the condition of the road over the canal bridge and the presence of waterlogging in the vicinity, both of which might have contributed to the tragic accident.
Muktsar’s Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr Bandana Bansal said that all injured passengers had been admitted to the civil hospital in Muktsar for medical treatment.
The bus, estimated to be carrying nearly 45 passengers, met with tragedy as it reached a narrow bridge on the road to Kotkapura around 1.40 pm. Several passengers found themselves in the water following the accident, prompting immediate action by nearby residents and administrative officials who swiftly organized rescue operations. Divers were deployed to save passengers from the submerged bus.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan expressed their condolences over the loss of lives in the tragic incident. Sandhwan, while praying to God for the safety of the injured people, said that the administration teams have been deployed at the spot immediately and the relief work is underway.
Chief Minister, in a post on ‘X ‘,expressed deep sorrow upon hearing the distressing news. He said that he is closely monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates from the administration.
Muktsar's Deputy Commissioner Ruhee Dugg and Senior Superintendent of Police Harmanbir Singh Gill monitored the rescue operations. She said that as of now, eight bodies have been recovered, and 11 passengers have been injured. Divers continue their efforts to save passengers as the rescue operations remain in full swing.
“Two of the injured have already received initial medical attention and have been discharged, while the remaining injured are currently receiving treatment. The identities of five of the deceased have been confirmed, all of whom are women,” she said.
In response to this tragedy, the District Administration swiftly initiated rescue operations. Local authorities, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, are actively engaged in the ongoing efforts to rescue and provide assistance to the affected individuals.
