The death toll in Tuesday’s bus accident in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district has risen to 49 with the recovery of two more bodies, PTI reported on Wednesday, 17 February, quoting the police.
Meanwhile, the driver of the bus has been arrested by police from Satna and brought to Sidhi, DharamVir Singh Yadav, Satna SP told ANI on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, a bus carrying around 54 passengers plunged into a canal in Sidhi. Forty-two bodies had been handed over to the families of the victims on the day. Seven people were earlier rescued.
According to ANI, the driver lost control of the bus, which was en route to Satna. Search and rescue operations started around 7:30 am to find the missing passengers in the 30-feet deep Sharda canal.
PM, President Express Condolences
Calling the incident "horrific", Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured.
President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed condolences to the families of those who died and wished speedy recovery to the injured.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted saying he was constantly in touch with the administration and those engaged in rescue and relief work in connection with the incident. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased and said Rs 10,000 each has been given to them immediately.
Madhya Pradesh minister Tulsi Silawat also reached the site of the accident and met the families of the victims.
Water Supply from Dam Stopped
Calling the accident heart-wrenching, BJP’s Sharadendu Tiwari had earlier told IANS that the water supply from the Bansagar dam was stopped.
“The water supply from Bansagar Dam has been stopped so that the bus can be easily accessed. Seven people have been saved so far,” he had said.
“Equipment, including cranes, have been brought for rescue operations. The administrative staff is also on the spot,” he had added.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI and IANS.)
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