Gujarat bus crash kills 7 on Vadodara-Jarod Road; Amit Shah condoles
Synopsis
A pre-dawn collision between a Rajasthan-bound luxury bus and a parked truck near Kotambi village on the Vadodara-Jarod Road has left seven dead and 28 injured. With two passengers critical and NDRF teams cutting through wreckage to free the trapped, the crash has reignited questions about highway safety on one of Gujarat's busiest inter-state corridors.
Key Takeaways
A luxury bus travelling from Banswara, Rajasthan to Surat crashed into a parked truck near Kotambi village on Vadodara-Jarod Road at around 4 am on 17 June .
Seven people were killed and 28 others injured, with two in critical condition.
NDRF , police, and fire brigade teams used a JCB machine to cut through the mangled bus and rescue trapped passengers.
The injured were admitted to SSG Hospital and private hospitals in Vadodara ; most passengers were from Rajasthan .
Home Minister Amit Shah called the accident 'extremely tragic' and confirmed local administration is providing medical support.
Police have initiated an investigation into the cause of the collision.
A luxury bus travelling from Banswara, Rajasthan to Surat crashed into a stationary truck on the Vadodara-Jarod Road in Gujarat in the early hours of Wednesday, 17 June, killing seven people and injuring 28 others, including two in critical condition. Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed condolences over the tragedy, calling it 'extremely tragic.'
How the Accident Unfolded
The collision occurred at approximately 4 am near Kotambi village when the luxury bus rammed into the rear of a truck that had been pulled over on the roadside. According to preliminary information, the truck driver had halted the vehicle to check tyre pressure at the time of impact.
The force of the crash crushed the front portion of the bus, trapping multiple passengers inside. Local residents and passing motorists were the first to respond, reaching the scene before emergency services and initiating rescue efforts.
Large-Scale Rescue Operation
Police, fire brigade personnel, and teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) mounted a large-scale rescue operation. Firefighters deployed a JCB machine to separate the two vehicles and cut through the mangled metal to free those trapped inside. The accident also triggered a traffic jam stretching several kilometres along the highway as rescue and clearance work continued.
The injured were shifted to Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital and private hospitals in Vadodara, where treatment is ongoing. Hospital authorities confirmed that two of the 28 injured remain in critical condition. Most passengers aboard the bus were from Rajasthan.
What the Government Said
In a post on social media platform X, Home Minister Amit Shah described the accident as 'extremely tragic' and extended condolences to the bereaved families. 'The accident that occurred on the Vadodara-Jarod Road in Gujarat is extremely tragic. My condolences are with those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. The local administration is providing medical facilities to the injured. I pray for the speedy recovery of those who have been injured,' Shah wrote.
The Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president also reacted, calling the crash 'extremely shocking and painful' and offering tributes to those who lost their lives. 'I offer my heartfelt tributes to the brothers and sisters who lost their lives in this tragedy and pray that God gives strength to their family members to bear this loss,' he said.
Investigation Under Way
Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the collision, including whether the parked truck posed an unlit or unmarked hazard on the highway. This comes amid persistent concerns over road safety on national and state highways in Gujarat, where late-night and early-morning long-distance bus travel carries elevated risk. The Vadodara-Jarod stretch has seen prior incidents involving heavy vehicles.
Authorities are expected to file a detailed accident report as the probe progresses.
Point of View
Not an anomaly. The political condolence cycle is swift, but structural fixes — mandatory reflective markings on parked commercial vehicles, enforceable rest-stop protocols, and real-time highway monitoring — remain inconsistently implemented. Until accountability moves from reaction to prevention, such tragedies will keep repeating on the same stretches of road.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Gujarat bus accident on 17 June?
A luxury bus travelling from Banswara in Rajasthan to Surat collided with a parked truck on the Vadodara-Jarod Road near Kotambi village at around 4 am on 17 June. The crash killed seven people and left 28 others injured, including two in critical condition.
Where are the injured being treated?
The injured passengers were shifted to Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital and private hospitals in Vadodara, where treatment is ongoing. Two of the 28 injured are reported to be in critical condition.
Why was the truck parked on the highway?
According to preliminary information, the truck driver had stopped on the roadside to check tyre pressure at the time of the collision. Police are investigating whether the vehicle was properly marked or lit.
What did Amit Shah say about the Gujarat bus crash?
Home Minister Amit Shah posted on social media platform X, describing the accident as 'extremely tragic' and extending condolences to the families of the deceased. He confirmed that the local administration is providing medical facilities to the injured.
Who carried out the rescue operation?
Police, fire brigade personnel, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams conducted the rescue. Firefighters used a JCB machine to separate the two vehicles and cut through the bus wreckage to free trapped passengers.
