Six killed and 16 injured as two pilgrimage buses collide in Punjab
The head-on collision occurred on the Tarn Taran-Bathinda National Highway near Naushehra Pannuan village on Saturday evening.
Six people were killed and 16 others were injured after two Punjab government pilgrimage buses collided head-on near Naushehra Pannuan village in Tarn Taran district on Saturday evening, according to India Today. The accident involved buses carrying passengers under the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme, which provides free travel, food, and accommodation for eligible residents aged 50 and above.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Surinder Lamba stated that the collision happened when a bus driver attempted to avoid a motorcycle and crossed into the path of an oncoming bus. One bus was travelling from the direction of Amritsar, while the other was approaching from Harike.
Among the deceased are Davinder Kaur, 22-year-old Sahajpreet Singh, and Narinder Singh. A motorcycle pillion rider was also among those killed, according to The Tribune. The collision caused extensive damage to the front of both vehicles, trapping some passengers in the wreckage.
Local residents and emergency teams conducted rescue operations at the scene. Deputy Commissioner Nirmal Oseppachan and SSP Lamba visited the site to oversee relief efforts. Five critically injured passengers were referred to Amritsar for specialised treatment at Guru Nanak Dev Medical College and Hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the crash.