8 killed as bus falls into drain in Bathinda district

Chandigarh: A private bus of the New Guru Kashi Service, en route from Sardulgarh to Bathinda, overturned and plunged into the Lasada drain near Jiwan Singh and Kotshamir villages in Bathinda district on Friday afternoon, leaving eight passengers dead. The accident occurred around 2:20 pm, with the bus carrying 45 to 50 passengers.

Local authorities launched a rescue operation with the assistance of nearby residents, but thick weeds in the drain hampered efforts, requiring the use of cranes to retrieve the bus. Injured passengers were rushed to hospitals in Bathinda with support from local social service organizations.

Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Shaukat Parray, Senior Superintendent of Police Amneet Kondal, and SDM Talwandi Sabo visited the accident site to oversee the rescue efforts. SSP Kondle confirmed the death toll at eight, while several injured passengers remain hospitalized.

The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed, and further details are awaited.