In a tragic turn of events, at least 12 individuals lost their lives and 14 sustained injuries as a bus plunged into a soil mine pit in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district on Tuesday night. The victims, all employees of a private firm, were returning home from work when the unfortunate incident occurred near Khapri village under Kumhari Police Station limits.

Expressing heartfelt condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu extended their sympathies to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Prime Minister Modi took to social media to express his sorrow, stating, “The bus accident that happened in Durg, Chhattisgarh is very painful. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

President Murmu echoed similar sentiments, expressing deep sadness over the loss of lives and extending condolences to the bereaved families.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai assured that adequate arrangements have been made for the treatment of the injured individuals and offered prayers for the departed souls.

According to Durg Superintendent of Police Jitendra Shukla, the tragic incident occurred around 8:30 pm when the bus carrying over 30 people veered off the road and plunged into the 40-feet-deep ‘murum’ mine. Murum, a type of soil used for construction, proved to be the site of the unfortunate accident.

While initial reports had suggested a higher casualty count, Shukla confirmed the death toll at 12, including three women. He further noted that 10 of the injured individuals are in critical condition and are being transferred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for treatment.

A prompt response from the police and State Disaster Response Force, along with local efforts, facilitated the rescue operation. Additionally, a magisterial probe has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances leading to the accident, as announced by Durg Collector Richa Prakash Choudhary.

“The bus was carrying workers of Kediya Distilleries located in the Kumhari area. So far, the deaths of 12 people have been confirmed. Of the 14 injured, 12 have been taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, while two others are undergoing treatment at a hospital here,” she informed.

As the nation mourns the loss of lives in this tragic incident, efforts continue to provide support to the affected families, with both the company and the administration pledging compensation for the victims. Visuals from the scene depict the overturned bus amidst the rescue efforts, highlighting the challenging circumstances faced by the responders during the night