Patna, Aug 22 (PTI) At least five people were killed and several others were injured, including one critically, when a bus ploughed through a crowd attending a cultural programme in Bihar’s West Champaran district, police said on Saturday.
The incident took place around 10.45 pm on Friday along the Lauriya Marg in Parau Tola under the jurisdiction of Lauriya police station.
“While trying to avert a head-on collision with a truck, the bus ploughed through a crowd attending a cultural event on the roadside, killing five men and injuring several others,” Narkatiyaganj Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ajay Prakash Singh told PTI.
The Bettiah-bound bus was coming from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.
The incident led to a stampede-like situation at the event, he added.
The deceased have been identified as Bahadur Mahto, Sanjay Kumar, Bhola Dubey, Devender Dubey and Jhangur Ram. The cultural programme was held on the occasion of ‘chhathi’ (an after-birth ritual) of Devender Dubey’s daughter.
The critically injured person is undergoing treatment at a medical facility in Lauriya.
The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, the officer said.
“The bus and the truck have been seized, while their drivers fled the spot taking advantage of the chaos,” he said, adding a manhunt has been launched for them.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the deaths and offered condolences to the bereaved family members.
“The news of the death of several people in the Lauriya police station area of West Champaran district is extremely tragic. May God give a place to the departed souls in his feet and provide enough strength to the kin to brave the loss,” he said in a social media post.
He also directed officials to ensure proper treatment of the people injured in the incident. PTI CORR SUK ACD
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