Gujarat bus-truck crash kills 5 on Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway; Modi condoles
Synopsis
A late-night overtaking attempt turned fatal on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway — five passengers of a Surat-Rajasthan bus died and five more were hospitalised after a collision with a truck in Anand, Gujarat. PM Modi personally condoled the deaths, as police open an investigation into driver negligence.
Key Takeaways
Five people killed and five injured after a bus-truck collision on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway in Anand, Gujarat at 4 am on 30 September .
The Sai Darshan Travels bus was travelling from Surat to Rajasthan and was carrying approximately 30–40 passengers , most asleep at the time of the crash.
The collision reportedly occurred when the bus driver attempted to overtake the truck .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured via a post on X .
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation; the injured were hospitalised and the deceased sent for autopsy.
Five people were killed and five others injured after a private luxury bus rammed into a truck on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway in Anand district, Gujarat, at around 4 am on Wednesday, 30 September, police confirmed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured in a post on X.
How the Crash Unfolded
According to police, the Sai Darshan Travels bus had departed from Surat bound for Rajasthan and was travelling from Anand towards Nadiad when the collision occurred. The bus was carrying approximately 30 to 40 passengers at the time, most of whom were asleep, according to Anand Superintendent of Police G.G. Jasani.
The impact occurred when the bus driver attempted to overtake the truck, triggering a high-speed collision that left several passengers trapped inside the mangled vehicle. Police personnel and local residents rushed to the scene and launched rescue operations immediately after receiving information about the crash.
Rescue and Relief Operations
The injured were extracted from the wreckage and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The bodies of the five deceased were sent for autopsy following mandatory inquest proceedings. The collision also disrupted traffic movement on the expressway for a period before police cleared the damaged vehicles and restored normal flow.
One injured passenger, Dhanesh Jadhav, who had boarded the bus in Surat, recalled being jolted awake by the sound of the collision. 'Panic and confusion spread among the passengers immediately after the crash,' he said.
PM Modi's Condolences
Prime Minister Modi responded to the tragedy via a post on X. 'Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in a mishap in Anand, Gujarat. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured,' he wrote.
Investigation Under Way
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to the collision, with the bus driver's overtaking manoeuvre under particular scrutiny. This comes amid persistent concerns over road safety on Indian expressways, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours when driver fatigue is a known risk factor. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the bus driver survived the crash or is among those hospitalised.
The incident adds to a troubling pattern of highway accidents in Gujarat, where high-speed expressway corridors have repeatedly witnessed fatal collisions involving commercial vehicles and passenger buses. The outcome of the police investigation is expected to determine whether charges of negligence or rash driving are formally filed.
Point of View
Inadequate enforcement of overtaking rules, and the structural vulnerability of overnight inter-state bus travel. The Anand crash, occurring at 4 am when most passengers were asleep, fits this pattern precisely. PM Modi's condolence post, while a standard gesture, underscores that highway safety remains a politically visible failure. What is missing is systemic accountability: whether the bus operator, the driver's duty hours, or the expressway's safety infrastructure will face scrutiny beyond the immediate FIR is the question that rarely gets answered after such tragedies.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Gujarat bus accident on 30 September?
A private luxury bus operated by Sai Darshan Travels collided with a truck on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway in Anand district, Gujarat, at around 4 am on 30 September, killing five people and injuring five others. The bus was travelling from Surat to Rajasthan and was carrying approximately 30 to 40 passengers at the time.
What caused the bus-truck collision in Anand, Gujarat?
According to police, the bus driver was attempting to overtake the truck when the collision occurred. An investigation has been launched to determine the full circumstances, including whether driver fatigue or negligence was a contributing factor.
What did PM Modi say about the Gujarat accident?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a condolence message on X, stating: 'Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in a mishap in Anand, Gujarat. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured.'
Where were the injured taken after the Gujarat expressway crash?
The injured passengers were extracted from the wreckage by police and local residents and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The bodies of the five deceased were sent for autopsy following inquest proceedings.
What action has police taken after the Anand bus accident?
Police have registered a case and launched a formal investigation into the collision, with the bus driver's overtaking manoeuvre under scrutiny. The damaged vehicles were cleared from the expressway and traffic was restored after a temporary disruption.
