New Delhi: At least seven people were killed, and fifteen others were injured when a luxury bus plunged into a 200-foot gorge on the Nashik-Gujarat Highway in Maharashtra The incident occurred in Gujarat’s Dang district early on Sunday morning. The exact cause of the crash is still being investigated.
The luxury bus, carrying over forty-eight people from different cities in Madhya Pradesh, was on a pilgrimage tour to various religious sites across Gujarat, Maharashtra, and other regions. The passengers were from Guna, Shivpuri, and Ashok Nagar districts in Madhya Pradesh, officials told PTI.
Driver loses control, fatalities reported
The tragedy struck when the bus was travelling near the Saputara hill station, and the driver lost control of the vehicle. According to In-charge Superintendent of Police SG Patil, the driver is believed to have lost control around early morning on Sunday.
Five pilgrims were confirmed dead and 17 others sustained severe injuries, prompting their immediate transportation to a civil hospital in Ahwa. That apart, some passengers had minor injuries. The rescue operation was reported to be nearly completed by the authorities.
The group of pilgrims had stopped at Saputara for a brief tea break before continuing their journey. The accident occurred about 2.5 kilometres from the hill station, while the passengers were en route from Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra to Gujarat. Officials speculated that a potential brake failure might have contributed to the loss of control.
Pilgrims on multi-state tour
The pilgrims had begun their trip on December 23, 2024, with a religious tour across multiple states. The group travelled in four different buses, one of which was involved in the deadly accident. According to Dang Collector Mahesh Patel, medical teams were working quickly to treat the injured, with efforts focused on stabilising the critical cases. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident.
