Bus crashes into mine in Chhattisgarh, killing 15 and injuring dozens

Police have rushed to the scene and launched rescue operations

Durg, Chhattisgarh:

At least 15 people, all employees of a private company, were killed and more than a dozen injured when their bus crashed into a “Mullum” earth mine pit in Durg district of Chhattisgarh state on Tuesday night, police said.

Durg police chief Jitendra Shukla said the incident took place near Kapri village within the limits of Kumhari police station around 8.30 pm and the victim was an employee of a brewing company. They were returning home from get off work.

He said that according to preliminary information, the bus, which was carrying more than 30 people, skidded off the road and fell into the 40-foot-deep “murum” mine shaft.

He added: “Eleven people were initially reported dead in the accident. Four more people later died in hospital.”

Murum is a type of soil that is mainly used in construction.

Chafni district municipal police chief Harish Patil said soon after the alert was received, a police team reached the spot and launched a rescue operation.

The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital, the official said.

Video from the scene showed the bus turning into a turtle after overturning and rescue operations were underway to evacuate trapped passengers.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the accident and said adequate arrangements have been made for the treatment of the injured.

Mr Sai said: “I have received news that 11 employees of a private company died in a bus accident. I pray that the departed soul rests in peace and that God gives strength to the family of the deceased.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)