In India, a double-decker bus traveling from Bihar’s Sitamarhi to Delhi collided with a milk tanker. The accident occurred on the Lucknow-Agra expressway near Unnao at approximately 5:15 am on July 10, 2024. The bus rammed into the milk tanker from behind.
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At least 18 people were killed including three women and one child. 19 others sustained injuries and were immediately transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Police and rescue teams quickly arrived at the scene to conduct rescue operations and assist the injured.
An investigation suggested that the bus was speeding at the time of the accident, which contributed to the collision. The investigation is ongoing to determine the precise cause of the accident.
Gaurang Rathi, District Magistrate, Unnao confirmed the casualties and efforts to assist the injured.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak stated that injured individuals were being shifted to hospitals and addressed the collaboration with the Bihar government.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the incident, directed officials to ensure proper treatment of the injured and expedited relief work.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
India’s President Droupadi Murmu offered condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
India has one of the highest rates of road accidents globally with thousands of fatalities and injuries annually. Common causes include reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and aging vehicles.
This accident follows other recent incidents including a May accident in Indian-controlled Kashmir where a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims rolled into a gorge, killing at least 21 people.
The injured were taken to the Unnao district hospital with those requiring more intensive care being shifted to higher-level hospitals.
The trauma center at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow was put on alert to handle the patients.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the accident as heart-wrenching and directed officials to ensure proper care for the injured.
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He expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and instructed the district administration to expedite relief efforts.
State Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the injured in the hospital and assured them of proper treatment.
He mentioned that most of the injured were from Bihar and that the Uttar Pradesh government was coordinating with the Bihar administration.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences via social media and announced state compensation for the victims’ families.
The relatives of the deceased would receive 200,000 rupees ($2,400), while those injured would receive 50,000 rupees ($600).
Preliminary investigations suggested that the bus was overspeeding at the time of the collision. The impact was so severe that the bus was described as “pulverized.”
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak stated that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the exact reasons behind the accident.
Road accidents are common in India often attributed to reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and ageing vehicles.
Government estimates reported 168,000 deaths from road accidents in 2022. In a similar accident in May 2024, 21 people were killed and more than 50 injured when a bus rolled down a deep gorge in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the district administration to speed up relief efforts and provide necessary assistance to victims’ families.
Local villagers helped rescuing the injured and transporting them to hospitals before official assistance arrived.
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