Raipur, Jan 18 (NationPress) A devastating incident claimed the lives of five individuals and left 80 others injured when a bus veered off the road and fell into a gorge near the Orsa Bangladara ghati on the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border. This tragic event occurred within the Mahuadanr police station jurisdiction, sending ripples of shock throughout the community.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai conveyed his heartfelt condolences via his X handle, stating: “The heart-wrenching accident near Balrampur on the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border, which has taken the lives of multiple passengers, is profoundly tragic. During this period of mourning, I extend my deepest sympathies to the grieving families. Upon receiving the news, rescue and relief efforts were promptly initiated. An administrative team is on-site to ensure a coordinated response. A total of 87 individuals were injured — 27 are being treated at Carmel Hospital and 60 at the Community Health Centre. I have instructed the relevant authorities to provide all necessary medical assistance for those seriously injured. I pray for peace for the departed souls and a quick recovery for the injured.”

According to police reports, the deceased comprise four men and one woman, all hailing from Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh. Their identities are yet to be disclosed.

Authorities disclosed that the bus was overloaded, carrying 87 passengers, most of whom were en route to a pre-marriage ceremony in Lodh village.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the driver lost control while navigating a steep turn. The bus crashed into a guardrail, struck a tree, and plummeted nearly 20 feet into a gorge, resulting in several passengers being trapped inside the wreckage.

Survivor and driver Vikas Pathak recounted to the police that he attempted to engage the handbrake and shut off the engine in a desperate effort to halt the bus. However, the steep incline made it impossible to regain control.

Rescue operations commenced immediately, with local residents and police officers collaborating to free passengers from the wreckage. The injured were transported to Mahuadanr community hospital and Carmel Hospital.

Officials have confirmed that at least 30 injured individuals are in critical condition and have been referred to Ranchi for advanced medical treatment.

This incident starkly underscores the perils of overloading and reckless driving on treacherous terrains. Authorities are currently investigating whether negligence or mechanical failures contributed to this disaster.

District officials have pledged that all medical costs for the victims will be covered, and measures are being taken to support the families of those who lost their lives.

This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the pressing need for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations, especially in rural and border regions where overloaded passenger vehicles are a frequent danger.