27 dead after bus falls into pit in Bihar

Bihar: At least 27 people have died after a bus fell into a roadside pit and caught fire in Bihar's East Champaran district today, reported ANI.

The accident occurred under the Kotwa police station area, which is nearly 75 km from the state capital.

Speaking to ANI, Bihar Disaster Management and Relief Minister, Dinesh Chandra Yadav, said,"It is a really sad incident. There is a provision to give compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of dead in such cases and it will be given."

The bus was on its way to Delhi from Muzaffarpur.

Separate teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have been rushed to the spot with gas cutters. District magistrates of Muzaffarpur and East Champaran have also been asked to supervise rescue operations from the spot.

“It is a really painful incident. Local administration officials are present at the spot. We will extend all possible help to the families of those who died,” said chief minister Nitish Kumar while speaking at a public function in Patna, according to ANI.

The CM, along with those present at the event, observed a minute of silence and prayed for the victims.

(With Agency inputs)