39 killed as bus falls of bridge into canal

At least 39 bodies have been fished out of a 30-feet deep canal in Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh after a bus plunged into it on Tuesday morning. Reports suggest that around 50 passengers were onboard the ill-fated bus that was en route from Sidhi to Satna.

At least seven persons swam to safety, said Umesh Joga, Inspector General (Rewa zone).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs each from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the bus accident in Sidhi. As per the Prime Minister’s Office, Rs.50,000 will be given to the injured.

The bus that fell into the canal at around 8:30 am has completely submerged. A major rescue operation is underway.

As per the information received from the Police Control Room, the private bus fell into the Sharda canal in Rampur police station area after its driver lost control over it.

Water from Bansagar Dam was being released into Sihawal Canal to lower its water level, so that divers could easily access the bus.

MP Water Resources Minister Tulsi Silawat and Minority Minister Ramkhelawan Patel visited the spot to supervise the ongoing search and rescue operation.

Equipment, including cranes, were brought to the spot. A team of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) personnel and diver were also pressed into the rescue operation.

In the wake of the mishap, the Madhya Pradesh government has cancelled the grih pravesh or house-warming ceremony to be attended virtually by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The event was scheduled to begin in Minto Hall at 11 am.

Earlier, Satyendra Khare, the Officer on Special Duty to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, said that Shivraj Singh Chouhan has taken cognizance of the mishap. The MP CM had also asked the district collector to intensify the rescue operation.