24 killed, many hurt as state transport bus plunges into river at Buldhana

Twenty-four passengers were killed and more than 30 injured, some seriously, when a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus fell into Purna river in Maharashtra's Buldhana district on Wednesday, police said.

Twenty-four passengers were killed and more than 30 injured, some seriously, when a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus fell into Purna river in Maharashtra's Buldhana district on Wednesday, police said.

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The mishap took place around noon in Sangrampur taluka. The overcrowded bus, with around 60 passengers (mostly students) on board, plunged into the river while crossing the old Khiroda bridge, after the driver lost control of the bus, police said.

The bus was on its way to Paturda village near here when the accident occurred.

All the bodies including that of V K Daberao (driver) extricated from the bus, have been kept at the Saibai Mote hospital in Shegaon (Buldhana) for identification. The injured were admitted to Akola General hospital, police said.

The bus was pulled out of the river with the help of two cranes. Some of the passengers are reported to be missing, police said.