INDIA. Mumbai: 9 girl students died, and 26 others were injured in a fatal road accident when a bus carrying 36 students to Khoupum in Manipur’s Noney district for an annual study tour programme overturned on Wednesday morning.
The ill-fated bus (No MN-01-2112) carrying class XI students of Thambalnu Higher Secondary School, Yairipok Top Chingtha in Imphal East, met with an accident along Bishnupur-Khoupum road at around 10.35 am, near the Longsai area of the hill district about 55 km from the state capital Imphal.
Five students perished on the spot, whereas three died as a result of their injuries while being treated at the Bishnupur District Hospital. Late in the evening, another student died at a private hospital. The deceased’s bodies have been deposited at the JNIMS mortuary.
The injured have been admitted to the Raj Medicity Hospital, of which six are in ICU while 14 others have been admitted to the RIMS.
Speaking to the Transcontinental Times, Rinku Khumukcham, Editor of Imphal times, said that the death toll may go up since most of the students admitted to the hospital are in critical condition.
The mishap took place when the students were proceeding towards Khoupum in two buses. The bus was carrying the girl students overturned after the driver lost control of it while negotiating a turn, according to police. The bus rolled down, crushing all the passengers.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh mourned the death of students and prayed for everyone’s safety.
“Deeply saddened to hear about the accident of a bus carrying school children at the Old Cachar Road today. SDRF, the Medical team and MLAs have rushed to the site to coordinate the rescue operation. Praying for the safety of everyone in the bus,” the CM tweeted, sharing a video clip of the overturned bus.
Singh resorted to Twitter to provide victims’ families Rs 5 lakh apiece from the CM’s Relief Fund. In addition, individuals with major injuries will receive Rs 1 lakh, while those with slight injuries will receive Rs 50,000, he said.
Meanwhile, the Manipur education department issued an order asking schools not to conduct excursions till January 10, 2023, to avoid any untoward incidents.
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