5 women among 8 killed as bus falls into canal in Muktsar

The incident took place at around 1:30 pm near Jhabbewali village on the Muktsar-Kotkapura road when the driver lost control of the bus while crossing a bridge and the vehicle skidded into the canal after brakes were applied, they said.

The bus fell into the Rajasthan canal on Muktsar-Kotkapura road in district Muktsar. (Express Photo)

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Eight passengers, including five women, were killed and some feared missing after a private bus carrying around 35 people fell into the Sirhind feeder canal in Punjab’s Muktsar district Tuesday, officials said. At least 10 passengers escaped unhurt while another 10 were shifted to hospital, they said.

The incident took place at around 1:30 pm near Jhabbewali village on the Muktsar-Kotkapura road when the driver lost control of the bus while crossing a bridge and the vehicle skidded into the canal after brakes were applied, they said. It was raining at the time of the incident and there was heavy water logging on the road. The bus was on way from Muktsar to Amritsar.

Muktsar Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kanwarjeet Singh said at least 10 passengers were rescued when the bus fell into the canal. They did not suffer any injuries, he said, adding 10 passengers sustained injuries.

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Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Ruhee Dugg said the bus operator claimed that the a vehicle may have had around 35 passengers. “It is feared that some passengers might have been swept away by the strong current of water in the canal,” Dugg said, adding the bus was taken out of the canal with the help of a crane.

The bus after being taken out of the canal. (Express Photo)

“Eight bodies have been taken out so far. At least 10 others were admitted to hospital for treatment and some have been discharged,” Dugg said.

Initially, trained divers from nearby villages launched a rescue operation. Later, a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) carried out a search operation through their motor boats in the canal in an area of three kilometers to locate missing passengers, if any. The rescue operations were called off at 8pm due to failing light and will resume on Wednesday morning, the DC said.

Shiromani Akali Dal’s former MLA from Muktsar, Rozy Barkandi, who was among first to reach the spot, said some passengers broke the window panes and swam to safety. “I have been told that most of the passengers were students,” said Barkandi.

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The bus belonged to a transport firm run by SAD leader Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon. Contacted, Dhillon termed the incident as very sad and unfortunate. “The bridge from which the bus fell is narrow and had turned slippery, but the incident is unpardonable. I seek forgiveness”.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said teams of district administration were on the spot, adding that he was getting regular updates about the rescue operation.

The victims were identified as Parvinder Kaur (Bathinda), Preeto Kaur (Muktsar), Amandeep Kaur and Balwinder Singh (Faridkot), Makhan Singh and Rajvir Kaur (Fazilka), and Manjit Kaur and Raminder Singh of Sriganganagar in Rajasthan.

Meanwhile, the Muktsar district administration launched a helpline — 01633-262175 — where families of missing passengers, if any, can share information.

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