Raipur (IANS): At least five persons died, and more than 80 others were injured on Sunday after an overloaded passenger bus plunged into a deep gorge near Orsa Bangladara ghati on the Chhattisgarh–Jharkhand border. The accident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Mahuadanr police station, triggering panic and grief in the region.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. In a post on his X handle, he said the tragic accident near Balrampur was “deeply saddening” and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He said rescue and relief operations were launched immediately after the incident was reported, with administrative teams deployed at the site to ensure coordinated efforts.
According to the Chief Minister, a total of 87 passengers were injured in the mishap, of whom 27 are undergoing treatment at Carmel Hospital, while 60 others were admitted to the Community Health Centre. He directed officials to ensure all necessary medical care for the seriously injured and prayed for the peace of the departed souls and speedy recovery of those hurt.
Police officials said the deceased included four men and one woman, all residents of Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh. Their identities are yet to be officially confirmed. Authorities added that the bus was heavily overloaded, carrying 87 passengers, most of whom were travelling to attend a pre-marriage function in Lodh village.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the driver lost control while negotiating a sharp turn on a steep downhill stretch. The bus reportedly rammed into a guard rail, collided with a tree and plunged nearly 20 feet into the gorge, leaving several passengers trapped inside the mangled vehicle.
The driver, Vikas Pathak, who survived the crash, told police that he tried to apply the handbrake and even switched off the engine in a desperate attempt to stop the bus. However, the steep gradient made it impossible to regain control.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with local residents, police personnel and emergency responders working together to extricate passengers from the wreckage. The injured were rushed to the Mahuadanr community hospital and Carmel Hospital. Officials confirmed that at least 30 injured passengers are in critical condition and have been referred to Ranchi for advanced medical treatment.
District authorities said an investigation is underway to determine whether negligence, overloading or mechanical failure led to the tragedy. Officials have assured that all medical expenses of the injured will be borne by the administration, and necessary assistance will be provided to the families of the deceased.
The incident has once again underscored the dangers of overloading and unsafe driving on hilly terrain, highlighting the urgent need for stricter enforcement of road safety norms, particularly in rural and border areas where such violations remain common.
