Five people, including four pilgrims, were killed and more than 15 others injured after two Punjab government-run pilgrimage buses collided head-on on National Highway-54 near Naushehra Pannuan in Tarn Taran district on Saturday evening, officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the mishap. In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, “Saddened to hear about the loss of lives due to a mishap in Tarn Taran, Punjab. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this tragic mishap. May the injured recover at the earliest.”
The buses were carrying pilgrims under the state government’s ‘Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme’, with 37 people travelling in them.
Tarn Taran Deputy Commissioner Nirmal Ossephchan said four people died on the spot, while one of the six passengers referred to Amritsar succumbed to injuries later.
Five seriously injured passengers were undergoing treatment at Guru Nanak Dev Medical College and Hospital in Amritsar, while the remaining injured were admitted to the Civil Hospital in Tarn Taran, he said.
Earlier, Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba said a motorcycle pillion rider was among those killed in the accident.
The accident occurred when the driver of one of the buses, in an attempt to avoid a motorcycle, crossed the road divider and collided with an oncoming bus travelling in the opposite direction.
One bus was travelling from Faridkot to Amritsar, while the other was going from Amritsar to Muktsar.
The impact of the collision was severe, damaging the front portions of both buses and leaving several passengers injured, with some trapped inside the wreckage.
Local residents rushed to the spot and began rescue operations, pulling passengers trapped inside the damaged buses to safety.
The deputy commissioner said teams from the civil and police administration, the Road Safety Force and ambulances reached the spot soon after receiving information about the accident and launched rescue operations.
He said he, along with the SSP, visited the accident site to take stock of the situation and also enquired about the condition of the injured admitted to the Civil Hospital.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also expressed sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the families of those who died. He prayed for strength for the bereaved families and a speedy recovery for all the injured.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said he had received distressing news about the accident involving pilgrimage buses near Naushehra Pannuan.
“I am deeply saddened to learn that four have lost their lives in this tragic accident,” he said.
The police and administration were engaged in relief and rescue operations, and strict instructions had been issued to officials to ensure that the injured received the best possible medical treatment without delay, Mann said.
He also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Punjab MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney urged the authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and provide all necessary assistance to the affected families. He also offered condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the recovery of those injured.
(With PTI inputs)
