At least 29 Killed, several Injured in Agra bus accident

Agra, July.8 (HS): The UP  Sleeper coach passenger bus, which was on its way from Lucknow to Delhi, met with the accident near Agra. At least 29 people were killed and several others injured after a Delhi-bound bus fell into a drain on Yamuna Expressway on Monday morning. More than 20 injured have been admitted to the hospital. The incident happened near Etadpur town, 9 km from Agra. The dead include 27 men and 2 girls. An ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh has been announced for the kin of the deceased by UP Roadways.

SSP (Agra) Babloo Kumar said that the “Janaratha service” of UP roadways was going from Lucknow to Delhi. More than 50 passengers were on board in the bus. With the help of crane, the bus was taken out of the gutters and bodies of 29 people were recovered. Rescue operation underway.

On the incident, Agra District Magistrate NG Ravi Kumar said,”The incident took place around 4:30 am. The driver probably dozed off and the speeding bus broke our barrier and fell into the drain. Search operations are underway.

Narendra Modi wrote on twitter, Pained by the bus accident in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those injured recover fast. The State Government and local administration are providing all possible assistance to the affected.

UP Yogi Adityanath CM orders inquiry by a committee consisting of Transport Commissioner, Divisional Commisioner & IG Agra to investigate the incident in 24 hours & give report on the cause of incident & also report on long term recommendations to avoid such accidents.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh took cognizance of the road accident. He has spoken to the district officer (DM) on this accident and directed the appropriate treatment for the injured.

Former Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda said Saddened to hear about the tragic loss of lives in an unfortunate bus accident near Agra. My heartfelt condolences to the grieving families. I pray for the injured a speedy recovery.

UP CM has ordered an inquiry by a committee consisting of transport commissioner, divisional commissioner and IG Agra to investigate the incident within 24 hours and submit a report on the cause of the accident. A report has also been sought with long-term recommendations to avoid such accidents.

Union railways minister Piyush Goyal,  tweeted.”Pained by accident on Delhi-Agra expressway. May God give strength to the kind of the deceased, my condolences with the families. I pray for speedy recovery of those injured.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot also expressed grief over the incident. In a tweet, Pilot said that the accident was painful and unfortunate. “I pay condolences to the families of those killed in the accident. May God give peace to deceased and quick recovery to those injured.”