Bathinda: At least eight people died, and several others sustained injuries on Friday after a private bus carrying over 45 passengers broke through a bridge railing and plunged into the Lasara drain near Jeewan Singhwala village in Punjab, officials said.

The accident occurred while the bus was en route from Talwandi Sabo to Bathinda. Local residents rushed to the scene to assist the passengers, followed by police and district administration teams who launched a rescue operation, reported PTI. The injured were quickly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also arrived to support the rescue efforts. Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray oversaw the operations, ensuring medical teams and ambulances were promptly dispatched.

Expressing grief over the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared condolences on X, stating, “Saddened by the loss of lives in the bus accident in Bathinda, Punjab. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.”

The Prime Minister also announced financial aid of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured, to be disbursed from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Officials noted inclement weather in the area at the time of the accident, though the exact cause is still under investigation.  

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