Indore – A devastating road mishap late Monday night has left a community in mourning after a crowded passenger bus veered off course and plunged into a deep gorge along a treacherous stretch of highway in Indore district. The collision claimed the lives of three individuals and sent 38 others to area hospitals, with several fighting for their survival.
The accident unfolded at Simrol’s Bheru Ghat, a notoriously winding section between Indore and Mhow, around 10 p.m. Officials from the district administration reported that the vehicle, carrying pilgrims returning from Omkareshwar, lost control shortly after a brief stop for dinner at a roadside eatery. Two passengers perished instantly amid the wreckage, while a third succumbed en route to medical care. Rescue teams worked frantically through the night to extricate survivors from the mangled bus, which had tumbled dozens of feet down the embankment.
Nine of the injured were rushed to MY Hospital in Indore, where medical staff described three cases as critical, requiring immediate intervention. District Collector Shivam Verma addressed reporters, outlining the swift response: “The vehicle was traveling from Omkareshwar to Indore when the incident occurred. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause, including checks for possible driver impairment due to alcohol. All injured individuals are receiving comprehensive treatment.”
Eyewitness accounts painted a harrowing picture of the chaos. Survivor Naval Singh Chauhan recounted the final moments: “We had just departed Omkareshwar for Indore and stopped at a dhaba for a meal. The driver proceeded only a short distance before the bus suddenly dropped into the ditch.” Among the confirmed fatalities was Anita Bai, a local woman whose daughter-in-law shared her grief, noting the profound loss to their family.
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In a show of solidarity, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav labeled the tragedy “profoundly distressing” and directed immediate relief measures. Posting on X, he announced: “This overturning of a bus between Indore and Mhow, leading to the deaths of three citizens, fills us with sorrow. I have instructed the release of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased via the Chief Minister’s relief fund, alongside free medical aid for all those hurt. May the departed find eternal peace, and the wounded recover without delay.”
The probe continues, with authorities emphasizing road safety on such perilous routes. As families gather at hospitals, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by everyday travelers in India’s rugged terrains.