At least 12 people have been killed and more than 40 others injured after a bus smashed into a concrete tunnel in India’s Sikar district, Rajasthan, India.
The privately operated bus lost control on a road in Sikar before colliding with a culvert at around 2 pm on Tuesday, say police. Terrified eyewitnesses told cops the bus started to swerve erratically before hitting the concrete structure at speed.
Two passengers are believed to have died during the initial impact, with harrowing pictures showing the aftermath of the accident. The front of the bus was completely crushed as emergency workers used a crane to move the wreckage.
Three others tragically died during surgery, said SK Hospital Superintendent Mahendra Khichad. Around 23 people are still undergoing treatment for various serious injuries.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed his condolences, saying it was “truly heartbreaking that lives were lost in this unfortunate incident.” India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced plans to provide financial assistance to the victims’ families and the injured.
There has been no confirmation on what caused the crash as of yet. India has seen a number of fatal bus crashes in recent months, including incidents where vehicles have plunged into gorges, highlighting the need for improved road safety measures.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to this latest tragic accident in Sikar. The local government has vowed to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical treatment.
