<p>The death toll in the Gujarat road accident, which claimed 18 lives when the open loading van in which they were travelling collided with a state transport bus at Patan, has risen to 23, police said today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The accident took place yesterday near Jhilwada village of Patan district, about 125 kms from here.<br /><br />The toll rose after five persons succumbed to their injuries in various hospitals including those at Patan and Radhanpur since last night.<br /><br />Twelve others who were seriously injured, have been admitted to the city hospital, they said.<br /><br />The state government has declared Rs one lakh as ex-gratia compensation to the kin of the deceased. Chief Minister Narendra Modi also extended his condolences on the tragic death of the victims.<br /><br />Most of the travellers in the van belonged to minority community of Jhilsan village of Mehsana district and were returning after offering prayers at a Dargah in Radhanpur, when the mishap occurred, police said.<br /><br />The deceased included 12 children and six women.</p>
<p>The death toll in the Gujarat road accident, which claimed 18 lives when the open loading van in which they were travelling collided with a state transport bus at Patan, has risen to 23, police said today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The accident took place yesterday near Jhilwada village of Patan district, about 125 kms from here.<br /><br />The toll rose after five persons succumbed to their injuries in various hospitals including those at Patan and Radhanpur since last night.<br /><br />Twelve others who were seriously injured, have been admitted to the city hospital, they said.<br /><br />The state government has declared Rs one lakh as ex-gratia compensation to the kin of the deceased. Chief Minister Narendra Modi also extended his condolences on the tragic death of the victims.<br /><br />Most of the travellers in the van belonged to minority community of Jhilsan village of Mehsana district and were returning after offering prayers at a Dargah in Radhanpur, when the mishap occurred, police said.<br /><br />The deceased included 12 children and six women.</p>