20 Feared Dead as Bus Catches Fire After Collision in UP’s Kannauj

The bus was carrying about 50 people when the collision took place.

Around 2O people are feared dead in a massive fire that broke out following a collision between a private sleeper bus and a truck near Chiloi village under Chhibramau police station area of Uttar Pradesh, late on Friday, 10 January, the police said.

21 have been rushed to hospital, Kannauj Superintendent of Police Amrendra Prasad singh said.

Kanpur Inspector General Mohit Agarwal said that there were around 45 people were in the bus and that 25 people had been rescued. He added that 12 of them were admitted at Medical College Tirwa and 11 at District hospital, while two people were completely safe and were sent home. 18-20 people are still missing, but it was not certain yet whether they had died, ANI reported, quoting Agarwal.

“The bodies are badly burned, their bones are scattered, so only a DNA test will determine the death toll. Prima facie bodies of 8-10 people seem to be on the bus but the damage is so extensive that casualties can be determined only through DNA test,” he said, speaking to ANI.

Meanwhile, PM Modi took to Twitter on Saturday morning to express his condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery to people injured in the accident.

उत्तर प्रदेश के कन्नौज में हुए भीषण सड़क हादसे के बारे में जानकर अत्यंत दुख पहुंचा है। इस दुर्घटना में कई लोगों को अपनी जान गंवानी पड़ी है। मैं मृतकों के परिजनों के प्रति अपनी संवेदनाएं प्रकट करता हूं, साथ ही घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2020

Rahul Gandhi also extended his condolences to the families of those killed.

कन्नौज में सड़क हादसे में बस और ट्रक के टक्कर में लगी भीषण आग से 20 लोगों की मौत और अनेक लोगों के घायल होने की खबर से आहत हूं ।

मृतकों के परिवार के प्रति मैं अपनी गहरी संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूं और घायलों के जल्द स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं।

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 11, 2020

BSP supremo Mayawati also tweeted about the accident, urging the government to provide proper assistance to family members and provide better treatment to the injured.

यूपी के कन्नौज में कलरात बस व ट्रक की भीषण भिड़न्त में 20 से अधिक यात्रियों की मौत अति-दुखद। सरकार पीड़ित परिवार वालों की तुरन्त समुचित सहायता करे व घायलों को बेहतर इलाज की व्यव्स्था करे।

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) January 11, 2020

CM Adityanath Announces Ex-Gratia, Seeks Report

The chief minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 to the injured. He also said that the entire district administration is at the spot and involved in the rescue operations.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has rushed his ministerial colleague Ram Naresh Agnihotri to the spot and sought a report from the DM Kannauj about the incident. He also asked the DM and SP to rush to the spot and provide all possible medical attention and help to the passengers of the bus.

Blaze Under Control

Ten to 12 among the injured 21 jumped from the burning bus to save their lives, the SP said, adding the exact number of casualties will be known only later.

“Fire is under control. It isn’t yet clear that how many lives were claimed in the incident. I’ve asked minister Ram Naresh Agnihotri to go to the spot.”

Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh

Kanpur's range Inspector General of Police Mohit Agarwal said efforts are on to contact family members of the victims. The blaze has been controlled and rescue operations are on, he added.

Uttar Pradesh police chief OP Singh in Lucknow said it appears that the diesel tank exploded under the impact of collision and the bus burst into flames.

Our first priority is to rescue passengers safely and senior officers are present at the spot, DGP Singh said.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)