Thirteen people have died, and 18 were injured, after a privately-owned bus burst into flames after it collided with a truck in Madhya Pradesh's Guna last night. The bus is registered in the name of Bhanu Pratap Sikarwar - the brother of former BJP district vice president Vishwanath Sikarwar. The bus had expired fitness and insurance certificates, and the road tax had not been paid since 2021.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav called it a "heart-breaking incident" and said he had ordered a probe. He vowed "strict action" against those responsible. "I am in constant contact with the District Collector and SP (Superintendent of Police). I am visiting Guna right now," he said.
"We will try to ensure such an incident does not happen again. I have ordered an inquiry. We are trying to find out information about the permit of the bus and how the accident occurred."
The state has suspended a Transport Department official and the Chief Medical Officer of Guna district for alleged negligence. Mr Yadav also expressed his condolences to the families of those killed, and ordered compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to those families and Rs 50,000 to each of those injured.
Madhya Pradesh Guna Bus Accident: What Happened?
Police said the bus was travelling from Guna to Aron, which are about 40 km apart. Carrying about 30 passengers, and a driver and conductor, it set off at 8 pm. The collision took place at 8.30 pm.
The bus overturned and exploded into flames after the collision, police officials said.
"It crashed into the dumper truck at top speed. We recovered 12 bodies from the scene (and) 14 injured passengers were rushed to the district hospital," Guna police official Vijay Kumar Khatri said.
A thirteenth body - believed to be the driver - was recovered after the fire was put out.
BJP's Jyotiraditya Scindia Responds
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, a former Guna Lok Sabha MP, called the accident "painful".
"Soon after getting information about the incident, I spoke to the collector and SP and directed them to start a relief and rescue operation," he said.
With input from agencies
NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.
Featured Video Of The Day
Can Artificial Rain Help Fight Delhi Air Pollution?
Muslim Traders Claim They Were Evicted From Madhya Pradesh Fair 4-Month Old Tiger Cub Found Dead In Tiger Reserve In Madhya Pradesh 40 Injured In Cylinder Blast At 'Chaat' Stall In Madhya Pradesh AR Rahman, Wife Saira Announce Separation After 29 Years Of Marriage Air India Flight From Paris Diverted To Jaipur, Fliers Sent To Delhi On Bus Amid Souring Ties With India, Canada's Latest Move Inconveniences Fliers Fact Check: No, Centre Has Not Raised Age Of Retirement To 62 AILET 2025 Admit Cards To Be Out On November 28 Employee Claims Company Refused To Pay For Flight Home After Resignation Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.