Mandya, Nov 24 (IBNS): At least 30 people were killed as a private bus plunged into a canal in Karnataka's Mandya on Saturday afternoon, media reports said.
The deceased reportedly include five children.
The mishap occurred the bus fell into a canal at Kanganamaradi village of Pandavapura taluk of the district.
“After inspecting the spot, I saw that the bus veered off the road and went over 60 feet of the bank around the canal and plunged into the waters,” state transport minister DC Thamanna was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
State minor irrigation minister CS Puttaraju, who is in charge of the district, said negligence on the part of the driver caused the mishap.
“We have already fished out 28 bodies and we will get a clearer picture soon. The driver appears to have gotten out of the bus and escaped. Apart from him, one student, Rohith, too, escaped,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
The school student, who jumped out of the bus at the last minute, has been identified as Rohith.
Deeply pained at the loss of 21 lives including children in the terrible bus accident at Karaganamaradi, Mandya district.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) November 24, 2018
My heart goes out to the victims and I pray to the almighty to give strength to their familes to bear this loss. pic.twitter.com/plawIoopNQ
The falling bus was sighted by locals who rushed to the spot. Rohit, the boy, is still in a state of shock and is yet to confirm the exact number of people travelling. The student of Class VII swam to safety, according to NewsMinute.
Relatives rushed to the spot where the bodies were being pulled. People can be seen grieving next to the bodies of their loved ones.
Chief Minister visits accident spot:
Cancelling his day's works, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy rushed to the place where the accident took place. Mandya District Supervisory Minister CS Putharaju, Transport Minister DC Thammanna and legislator Ravindra Shrikantayya were also present at the site.
Compensation:
Kumaraswamy has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakhs each for the families of people who were killed in the accident.
Image: CM of Karnataka Twitter page
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