How Did 18 Kanwariyas Lose Their Lives in a Bus-Truck Crash?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 18 Kanwariyas lost their lives in a tragic accident.
- 10 others were injured in the collision.
- The incident occurred during the Shravani Mela.
- Road safety measures are under scrutiny following the accident.
- Emergency services responded quickly to assist the injured.
Ranchi, July 29 (NationPress) Tragically, eighteen Kanwariyas have perished and ten more sustained injuries in a catastrophic road mishap close to Jamuniya village in Jharkhand's Deoghar district on Tuesday.
This incident took place amid the ongoing Shravani Mela, a period when countless devotees journey to present holy water at the Baba Baidyanath Dham temple.
Deoghar MP Nishikant Dubey confirmed the incident, stating in a post on X, "In my Lok Sabha constituency of Deoghar, during the Kanwar Yatra in the month of Shravan, 18 devotees lost their lives due to a bus and truck accident. May Baba Baidyanath Ji grant strength to their families to bear this grief."
The accident transpired in the Mohanpur block of Deoghar, situated along the banks of the north-flowing Jamuniya River, near a famous Shiva-Parvati temple.
The collision happened when a bus, carrying around 35 devotees heading to Deoghar for the offering of 'jal' (holy water) at Baba Baidyanath Dham, was struck head-on by a truck loaded with gas cylinders.
Eyewitnesses recounted the scene as horrifying, with the impact so severe that the bus was reportedly torn apart, and screams filled the air in the aftermath.
Many devotees found themselves trapped within the mangled wreckage, prompting a swift response from police, ambulance services, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), who collaborated to rescue the injured and recover the bodies.
The injured individuals were quickly transported to nearby primary health centers and Deoghar Sadar Hospital, with some in critical condition. The identities of the deceased are being confirmed, and their bodies are being sent for post-mortem examinations.
High-ranking district officials, including police and civil administration members, arrived at the scene and subsequently visited hospitals to monitor rescue and medical efforts.
A crane was deployed to manage the wreckage, and initial investigations have commenced, focusing on the potential negligence of the drivers involved in the accident.