12 Killed, 14 Injured After Bus Falls Into Soil Mine Pit In Durg; PM Modi Extends Condolences

At least 12 employees of a private firm were killed and 14 others were injured after their bus fell into a ‘murum’ soil mine pit in the Kumhari area of Chhattisgarh’s Durg district on Tuesday night, police said.

The accident took place around 8:30 pm near Khapri village under Kumhari police station limits when the victims — all employees of Kediya distillery company —  were returning home from work, said Jitendra Shukla, Durg Superintendent of Police.

Visuals of the spot showed the bus turned turtle after falling down and a rescue operation underway to evacuate trapped passengers.

“12 people, including three women, were killed in the accident,” he added. The DSP had earlier said that the death toll was 15.

Meanwhile, Durg Collector Richa Prakash Choudhary told reporters that a magisterial probe had been ordered into the incident.

“The bus was carrying workers of Kediya Distilleries located in Kumhari area. So far the deaths of 12 people have been confirmed. Of the 14 injured, 12 have been taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur ,while two others are undergoing treatment at a hospital here,” she said.

The collector said that the company has offered compensation to the victims, adding that they will also get similar aid from the administration.

As per preliminary information, the bus — carrying more than 30 persons — skidded off the road and fell into the 40 feet-deep ‘murum’ mine, DSP Shukla said.

He noted that a police team reached the spot soon after receiving information of the incident. A rescue operation was launched along with the teams of State Disaster Response Force and locals, Shukla added.

Notably, Murum is a type of soil which is mostly used for construction.

Choudhary noted that following the magisterial enquiry into the incident, strict action will be taken against the guilty.

Deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma reached AIIMS to meet the victims of the bus accident.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the accident and said adequate arrangements have been made for the treatment of the injured people. “Received the news about the death of 11 employees of a private company in a bus accident. I pray that departed souls rest in peace and may God give strength to the bereaved family members,” Sai said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the loss of life in the tragic accident and said all possible help would be provided to the victims by the state government.

“The bus accident in Durg, Chhattisgarh is extremely sad. My condolences to those who lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way,” PM Modi wrote on X.

President Droupadi Murmu also mourned the deaths and wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the news of deaths of several people in a bus accident in Durg district of Chhattisgarh. My deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. I wish for speedy recovery of the injured.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to X and wrote, “The bus accident in Durg, Chhattisgarh is sad. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”