According to Rakesh Gupta, the IG of Indore Rural Range, the death toll in the Khargone bus accident had risen to 23 as of Tuesday afternoon.
The accident occurred after a private passenger bus fell from Dongargaon bridge near the Dasanga area under the Oon police station limits in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district around 8 a.m in the morning. “23 people have died so far in the Khargone bus accident. About 20–25 injured are being treated in Khargone district hospital, and 11 seriously injured have been referred to Indore.” IG Gupta said.
A complete investigation will be done, and then only the reason will be known because the driver of the bus, who is undergoing treatment, is changing his versions about what happened, Gupta said.
The driver gave us different versions when we interviewed him. Initially, he mentioned that a vehicle came in front of the bus, but later he claimed that the bus belt malfunctioned. “We will need to conduct a thorough investigation, including a mechanical examination, to determine the true cause of the accident,” stated the officer, emphasising that the top priority is to ensure the injured receive medical attention. Furthermore, when questioned about the number of passengers onboard the bus, the officer stated that this information would also be available after the investigation was concluded.
The state government announced immediate financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased, Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured, and Rs 25,000 each to those who received minor injuries in the accident.