Fatehgarh Sahib, Apr 15: A bus carrying devotees from Anandpur Sahib overturned in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib, killing eight people and injuring 19 others, police said on Wednesday.
The accident occurred near Himmatpura on the Morinda-Chunni road in the Bassi Pathana area at around 10 pm on Tuesday when the devotees — all residents of Fatehgarh Sahib’s Main Majri — were returning from Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district after paying obeisance on the occasion of Baisakhi.
Prima facie, it appears that the vehicle developed some malfunction, Fatehgarh Sahib Senior Superintendent of Police Shubham Aggarwal said.
Around 40 people were travelling in the bus.
Initially, six people, including a woman, died in the incident, while 21 others were injured. Later, two more victims succumbed to their injuries at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh and a hospital in Mohali’s Phase 6, Fatehgarh Sahib Deputy Superintendent of Police Raj Kumar said.
The injured were taken to hospitals in Fatehgarh Sahib, Bassi Pathana and Morinda in Rupnagar district, while some critically injured patients were referred to PGIMER in Chandigarh. The remaining passengers were unhurt.
Following the accident, several locals rushed to the spot and assisted in rescue operations.
An injured woman said the bus suddenly overturned when it was about to reach Main Majri village.
Bassi Pathana MLA Rupinder Singh, who reached the spot on Tuesday night, said all the devotees were from Main Majri village.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed grief over the death of devotees and said that the state government stands with the victims in this hour of grief.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring too condoled the death of devotees.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic bus accident near Bassi Pathana while devotees were returning from Anandpur Sahib. Heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. May Waheguru give strength to the bereaved families in this difficult time,” Warring said in a post on X.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia also condoled the death of devotees.
“Deeply saddened to hear about the death of 6 devotees in the tragic bus accident when devotees were returning from Sri Anandpur Sahib on Baisakhi. I pray before Waheguru Ji to grant eternal peace to the departed souls, give strength to the bereaved to bear this sorrow, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” he said.(PTI)
