Thursday, May 16

Haryana School Bus Accident: 6 Students Killed, 15 Injured

Edited by Aishwarya Krishnan
Haryana School Bus Accident: 6 Students Killed, 15 Injured (image-X/DushyantKrRawat)

On Thursday morning, a school bus overturned near Kanina village in Mahendragarh district in Haryana, killing six students and injuring over 15 others. According to reports, the accident occurred as the driver, under the influence of alcohol, was speeding at 120 kilometres per hour.

The bus belonged to GL Public School and was carrying students from grades 4 to 10, despite a holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr, when the bus overturned. The injured students were rushed to a nearby hospital.

12 injured students have been moved to a local hospital, while two other students, said to be critical, have been shifted to a Rohtak hospital, according to the district administration.

Arsh Verma, Mahendragarh Superintendent of Police (SP), stated the blood samples of the driver have been sent for testing to confirm if he was drunk. According to the police, after losing control of the bus, the driver jumped out of the speeding vehicle and rammed it into a tree. Mr. Verma added that the authorities have reached out to the school officials to get a response on why the educational institution was working on a public holiday. A senior official alleged that the fitness certificate of the bus had expired over six years ago, reported the Hindustan Times.

Haryana Education Minister Seema Trikha issued directions to the district magistrate to take strict action against the private school for being open despite the government holiday. She also visited the injured students at the Mahendragarh civil hospital and inquired about their condition.

In an interview with ANI, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that he was saddened by the accident and conveyed that his sympathies are with the affected families. He also stated that strict action would be taken against the guilty. He added that the government will ensure ex-gratia for the affected families and pay for the treatment of the injured students.

Deputy Commissioner Monika Gupta stated that the district education officer has suggested the cancellation of the school’s recognition to the education department, as reported by Indian Express.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and offered his condolences to the bereaved families who lost their children. Mr. Shah informed that the local administration is providing help to the injured children.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed his deepest condolences to the grieving families and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured students.