Four Dead, 11 Injured in Tragic Bihar Highway Collision
A devastating road accident on National Highway 31 in Bihar's Bhagalpur district resulted in four fatalities and left eleven individuals injured on Tuesday evening. The collision involved a speeding private bus and two smaller vehicles—a commercial vehicle and an e-rickshaw—near Bagri Pul in the Naugachia subdivision.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The tragic event occurred around 6:30 PM within the jurisdiction of the Jhandapur police station. According to officials, the bus struck the smaller vehicles head-on, causing significant damage and trapping multiple passengers. Bhagalpur District Magistrate Nawal Kishor Choudhary confirmed the casualties, stating, "In a head-on collision between a bus and two small vehicles, four people were killed and 11 others injured. The deceased include a six-year-old child and a woman."
Naugachia police district Superintendent Prerna Kumar provided initial findings, noting, "Prima facie, it appears that two small vehicles were hit by a speeding bus on NH-31 around 6:30 pm. We received information of a collision between a private bus and two autorickshaws. Looking at the seriousness of the incident, all of us reached here...Prima facie, this looks like a speeding bus hitting the smaller vehicles."
Victims Identified and Medical Response
The deceased have been identified as Arvind Mandal, 40, from Katihar district; Kunal Kumar, 6, from Khagaria district; and Purmi Devi, 35, and her husband Sunil Das, 40, both from Bhagalpur district. District Magistrate Choudhary mentioned that two victims were identified, with efforts ongoing to locate documents for others, and bodies will be handed over to families after identification.
Of the eleven injured, eight are receiving treatment at Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College and Hospital in Bhagalpur, while three have been discharged. Authorities have assured that all injured individuals are out of danger. The administration is actively informing the victims' families, including those residing outside Bhagalpur, through concerned officials.
Legal Actions and Highway Safety Concerns
Police have announced that a First Information Report (FIR) will be registered, and the driver and bus owner will be identified for further legal action. This incident has raised concerns about frequent accidents on the highway. In response, District Magistrate Choudhary addressed safety measures, stating, "There is a lot of traffic on this road. On my request, the government has approved the proposal to widen it. Work will start on this very soon." He also urged motorists to drive safely to prevent such tragedies.
The collision underscores ongoing issues with road safety in the region, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations. As investigations continue, authorities are focusing on providing support to the affected families and ensuring accountability for the accident.
