In a major road accident, scores of passengers died on Monday when a bus plunged into a deep pond in Bihar’s Madhubani district. At least 25 bodies were fished out of the pond and nearly a dozen injured passengers were rescued by the rescue team.
The Sitamarhi-bound mini bus was carrying 65 passengers and the driver reportedly lost control while taking a turn. Disaster management officials said the bus has been taken out with the help of crane. Some passengers were rescued by breaking the glass panes and grills of the window. The incident took place near Basaitha village under Benipatti police station area.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his deep shock over the grave incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs4 lakh to kin of each dead passenger. He also asked his two Ministers Madan Mohan Jha and Kapildeo Kamat, both hailing from Madhubani district, to rush to the spot. The CM also directed Darbhanga zonal commissioner and IG Police to reach the spot and supervise the rescue and relief work.
The delay in rescue work angered the villagers who gathered in a big number at the spot and hurled stones at the vehicles of officials and police when they reached there. The officials said crowd which indulged in brick batting caused delay. Police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob. The team of State and National Disaster Relief Force also rushed to the spot.