Key Highlights
- Fatal crash: Eight people were killed and 15 injured, eight of them critically, when a minibus veered off the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and plunged into a 15-foot-deep drain in Kota around 6 a.m. on Saturday.
- Pilgrims from MP: The passengers, from extended families in Bhopal and Betul districts, were travelling to the Khatu Shyam Ji temple in Rajasthan.
- Suspected cause: Police suspect the driver dozed off or became drowsy; the exact cause is yet to be established.
- Aid announced: MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
- Treatment underway: The injured are being treated at New Medical College Hospital and MBS Hospital in Kota, with critical patients in intensive care.
A journey of faith ended in grief on Saturday morning as a minibus carrying pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh met with a fatal accident in Rajasthan’s Kota district. Eight people lost their lives and 15 others were injured, eight of them critically, after the vehicle veered off the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and plunged into a 15-foot-deep drain around 6 a.m., police said.
Families Set Out on a Pilgrimage
According to Kota Rural Superintendent of Police Sujeet Shankar, the passengers belonged to extended families from Bhopal and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh. They had left on Friday evening for the Khatu Shyam Ji temple in Rajasthan.
The accident took place near pole number 384 on the expressway, in the Simliya police station area.
Driver Fatigue Suspected
Police said the driver is suspected to have dozed off or become drowsy, causing the vehicle to veer off the road. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be established.
Difficult Rescue Operation
Rescue personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information about the accident. Mud and water accumulated in the drain initially hampered the operation, after which cranes were deployed to pull out the damaged vehicle and rescue those trapped inside.
The injured were taken to the New Medical College Hospital and MBS Hospital in Kota. Hospital officials said they were receiving treatment, with critically injured patients shifted to intensive care.
MP Government Announces Assistance
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of those killed and directed officials to extend all possible support to them.
“The news of the loss of lives in an accident involving a minibus travelling from Bhopal to Khatu Shyam Ji in Kota today is extremely tragic and painful,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.
Offering condolences, he added: “May Baba Mahakal grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the grieving families to bear this immense loss. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
The state government said officials had been instructed to ensure that the affected families receive financial assistance and all possible support.
Road Safety Concerns on the Expressway
The tragedy once again draws attention to the risks of long overnight drives, particularly in the early morning hours when drivers are most prone to fatigue. The Kota stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has seen several serious accidents in recent years, including crashes where police suspected drivers had fallen asleep at the wheel. Experts have long recommended rest breaks, relief drivers on long routes and stricter checks on commercial vehicle drivers to prevent such incidents.
What Comes Next
Police are expected to investigate the exact cause of the crash, while the focus for now remains on the treatment of the injured and support for the grieving families in Bhopal and Betul.
With inputs from IANS
Key Highlights
- Fatal crash: Eight people were killed and 15 injured, eight of them critically, when a minibus veered off the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and plunged into a 15-foot-deep drain in Kota around 6 a.m. on Saturday.
- Pilgrims from MP: The passengers, from extended families in Bhopal and Betul districts, were travelling to the Khatu Shyam Ji temple in Rajasthan.
- Suspected cause: Police suspect the driver dozed off or became drowsy; the exact cause is yet to be established.
- Aid announced: MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
- Treatment underway: The injured are being treated at New Medical College Hospital and MBS Hospital in Kota, with critical patients in intensive care.
A journey of faith ended in grief on Saturday morning as a minibus carrying pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh met with a fatal accident in Rajasthan’s Kota district. Eight people lost their lives and 15 others were injured, eight of them critically, after the vehicle veered off the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and plunged into a 15-foot-deep drain around 6 a.m., police said.
Families Set Out on a Pilgrimage
According to Kota Rural Superintendent of Police Sujeet Shankar, the passengers belonged to extended families from Bhopal and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh. They had left on Friday evening for the Khatu Shyam Ji temple in Rajasthan.
The accident took place near pole number 384 on the expressway, in the Simliya police station area.
Driver Fatigue Suspected
Police said the driver is suspected to have dozed off or become drowsy, causing the vehicle to veer off the road. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be established.
Difficult Rescue Operation
Rescue personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information about the accident. Mud and water accumulated in the drain initially hampered the operation, after which cranes were deployed to pull out the damaged vehicle and rescue those trapped inside.
The injured were taken to the New Medical College Hospital and MBS Hospital in Kota. Hospital officials said they were receiving treatment, with critically injured patients shifted to intensive care.
MP Government Announces Assistance
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of those killed and directed officials to extend all possible support to them.
“The news of the loss of lives in an accident involving a minibus travelling from Bhopal to Khatu Shyam Ji in Kota today is extremely tragic and painful,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.
Offering condolences, he added: “May Baba Mahakal grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the grieving families to bear this immense loss. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
The state government said officials had been instructed to ensure that the affected families receive financial assistance and all possible support.
Road Safety Concerns on the Expressway
The tragedy once again draws attention to the risks of long overnight drives, particularly in the early morning hours when drivers are most prone to fatigue. The Kota stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has seen several serious accidents in recent years, including crashes where police suspected drivers had fallen asleep at the wheel. Experts have long recommended rest breaks, relief drivers on long routes and stricter checks on commercial vehicle drivers to prevent such incidents.
What Comes Next
Police are expected to investigate the exact cause of the crash, while the focus for now remains on the treatment of the injured and support for the grieving families in Bhopal and Betul.
With inputs from IANS