A pilgrimage ended in tragedy when a bus carrying devotees from Bihar collided with a stationary truck in West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district early Friday. The accident occurred near Phaguipur on NH-19, claiming ten lives and injuring 35 others.
Officials said the victims, residents of Motihari in East Champaran district, were returning home after visiting Gangasagar in South 24 Parganas. Their journey had begun on August 8, starting from Motihari, with stops at Deoghar before heading to Gangasagar.
Among the deceased were eight men and two women. The injured included six children, all of whom were rushed to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Medical teams are providing critical care to those in serious condition.
“There were 45 passengers on the luxury bus. We are working to contact their families and offer necessary assistance,” an official confirmed. The impact of the crash left the front section of the bus mangled, indicating the severity of the collision.
Authorities are investigating whether poor visibility, driver fatigue, or mechanical failure contributed to the accident. Road safety experts have long warned about the dangers of trucks parked on highways without proper hazard signals, a practice that often leads to deadly crashes.
The tragic incident has left the community of Motihari in shock, as friends and relatives mourn the loss of loved ones who had embarked on a sacred journey but never made it home.