Bus catches fire after collision with dumper in MP's Guna, toll rises to 13

Bhopal: At least 13 people died, and 17 were injured in a tragic road accident between a passenger bus and a dumper near Guna, approximately 230 km from Bhopal, on Wednesday night.

The injured were admitted to the district hospital in Guna for treatment, and their condition was reported to be stable. The state government announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to injured persons.

MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited the district hospital to meet the injured persons on Thursday and ordered a probe by a four-member committee, which will submit their report in three days.

Speaking on the sidelines, CM Yadav stated that two officers, RTO Ravi Bareliya and CMO BD Katrolia, who were found prima facie apathetic and negligent, have been suspended.

"The response time by the fire tender was not quick enough, and some noticeable lapses in the bus's fitness have come to light. Measures will be taken to ensure road safety and prevent the recurrence of such road accidents, including the identification of accident-prone areas. The committee will submit a fact-finding report, and action will be taken accordingly," Yadav said, emphasising that no persons responsible for the tragedy will be spared.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences on the loss of human lives. "The road accident that happened in Guna, Madhya Pradesh is heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to those who have lost their family members. Along with this, I wish speedy recovery to all the people injured in this accident. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in every possible help to the victims," the prime minister wrote on X.

According to the information available, the passenger bus and a dumper collided head-on while en route to Aron from Guna. Nearly 30 passengers were on board the minibus when the accident took place. After the head-on collision, the bus caught fire, and 12 passengers were charred in the flames. The dumper driver also succumbed to injuries in the hours that followed, bringing the toll to 13.

Seventeen passengers were evacuated by the rescue teams. DM Tarun Rathi said the seventeen are undergoing treatment at the district hospital and are stable.

The four-member committee, comprising ADM, SDOP, divisional deputy transport commissioner, and AE power safety, has been constituted to investigate and prepare a report in 3 days.

The state government transferred TC (Transport Commissioner) Sanjay Jha, DM Tarun Rathi and SP Vijay Khatri from Guna on Thursday.