Daijiworld Media Network - Katihar
Katihar, Apr 12: At least 13 people were killed and around 30 others injured in a tragic road accident involving a bus, a truck, and a pickup van in Bihar’s Katihar district on Saturday evening, police said.
The accident occurred around 6:30 pm on National Highway-31 in Kodha block, Superintendent of Police Shikhar Choudhary informed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lac each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also conveyed condolences and announced similar compensation of Rs 2 lac to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured from the state relief fund.
While initial reports had put the death toll at seven, six more injured persons later succumbed during treatment, taking the toll to 13.
According to police, the victims travelling in the pickup van were returning from neighbouring Purnea district. All the injured have been shifted to a government hospital in Purnea for treatment.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the bus driver, who is among the injured, may have lost control of the vehicle, leading to the collision. However, the exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.
Authorities are in the process of identifying the deceased, while officials have been directed to ensure proper medical care for the injured