Daijiworld Media Network – Mandya (EP)

Mandya, Nov 24: Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy has expressed shock at the tragic death of more than 25 people after a private bus plunged in a rivulet near Kanaganamaradi, Mandya district on November 24.

The CM spoke to district-in-charge minister and deputy commissioner and asked the officials to visit the spot immediately and conduct rescue operations. Film award function and other programmes in which the chief minister was scheduled to take part are cancelled. The chief minister has asked to postpone film awards programme.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the 25 people who lost their lives. "An ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh would be paid to the families of the victims who lost their lives in the tragic accident," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office said.

The mishap took place around noon at Kanaganamaradi village near Pandavapura town in the district.

Rajkumar private bus on its way from Pandavapura to Mandya had plunged to the rivulet at Kanaganamaradi. Twenty five people have died in the incident. The number of dead is likely to increase. It is said that negligence of the driver has caused the accident.