Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya on Wednesday visited Surat Civil Hospital to meet passengers injured in the Bardoli bus accident, assuring full medical support and directing hospital authorities to provide uninterrupted treatment. The visit came a day after two Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses collided on National Highway 53 near Uva village in Bardoli taluka, leaving seven dead and around 40 injured.

Minister's hospital visit

Pansheriya travelled from Gandhinagar to Surat and went directly to the Civil Hospital, where he enquired about the condition of the injured and interacted with their family members. He said around nine patients were undergoing treatment at the hospital and their condition was stable.

‘The doctors and healthcare staff at Surat Civil Hospital are providing the best possible treatment. Necessary instructions have been issued to the hospital administration to ensure that all required medical facilities are made available to the patients promptly,' the minister said.

Calling the accident ‘extremely tragic and distressing', Pansheriya said he stood with the injured and their families during the difficult period and prayed for their speedy recovery.

How the accident unfolded

The crash occurred on Tuesday afternoon on NH-53 near Uva village in Bardoli taluka of Surat district. According to initial police findings, a bus headed towards Maharashtra lost control after colliding with a vehicle ahead, crossed the divider, and struck an oncoming MSRTC bus.

One of the buses overturned and caught fire following the impact, triggering a major rescue operation involving police, fire brigade personnel, and local authorities. The deceased were reportedly travelling in the bus that caught fire.

Medical response on the ground

According to the minister, doctors, medical officers, and nursing staff from multiple departments began treating victims on a war footing soon after the accident. Injured passengers were shifted to hospitals in Bardoli and Surat, with the more serious cases admitted at Surat Civil Hospital.

Investigation underway

Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Police are expected to examine the role of vehicle speed, road conditions, and the initial collision that reportedly caused the Maharashtra-bound bus to veer across the divider.

What's next

Pansheriya noted that the state government and the Health Department remained fully committed to the treatment and care of the injured and their families. Further updates on the condition of patients and the outcome of the police probe are awaited.