The luxury bus was going from Surat to Valsad.
new Delhi:
Nine people were killed and 28 others injured in a horrific accident between a bus and an SUV car in Gujarat’s Navsari district in the early hours of Saturday. A bus full of people returning from the major Swami Maharaj centenary festival celebrations from Surat rammed into a Toyota Fortuner car on Navsari National Highway No. 48 after the driver suffered a heart attack and lost control of the vehicle. He was taken to the hospital for treatment, where he died. Eight of the nine people in the car were killed, while 28 people in the bus were injured. 11 were taken to a private hospital. The luxury bus was going from Surat to Valsad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief, and announced compensation for the victims.
“Anguished by the loss of lives due to a road accident in Navsari. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover soon. Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin.” each deceased. Those injured will be given Rs 50,000,” he tweeted.
I am pained by the death of people in a road accident in Navsari. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover soon. Ex-gratia amount of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will be given Rs. 50,000: PM Modi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 31, 2022
Navsari Superintendent of Police (SP) Hrishikesh Upadhyay said the accident happened near Vesma village when the SUV was coming from the opposite direction.
Those traveling in the SUV were residents of Ankleshwar in Gujarat, and they were on their way back to their hometown from Valsad, Mr Upadhyay said, adding that the passengers of the bus were from Valsad.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the deaths in a Twitter post.
“The road accident in Gujarat’s Navsari is heart-wrenching. My condolences to those who lost their families in this tragedy. May God give them the strength to bear the pain. Local administration is providing immediate treatment to the injured, wishing them a speedy recovery Praying.” He tweeted in Gujarati.
Gajaratana nevaramam hal sec dadret hwad.vera aa aa thaatyabhaari maam ki khooniya ki khooniye চত্তী I express my condolences to them. Best time: Credit card for the moment. Local local administration has given immediate relief to them, I pray for their recovery
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 31, 2022
Traffic on the highway was disrupted due to the accident, after which the police removed the bus from the road with the help of a crane and normalcy was restored.
PM Modi had addressed the inauguration ceremony of Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav in Ahmedabad on 14 December.
In this program I can see every aspect of India’s vibrancy and diversity. I would like to appreciate the saints and sages that they thought of such a program and on such a large scale. People are coming from all over the world to pay homage to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj ji: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/fVeJCfTxad
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 14, 2022
The event began on December 15, and is scheduled to run until January 15, 2023.