New Delhi: At least two passengers were killed and over 23 others injured after a sleeper bus overturned near Karol Bagh in Delhi in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.
According to the Delhi Fire Services, a distress call was received around 1:10 am, following which two fire tenders were rushed to the spot and rescue operations were launched immediately.
The accident took place near Jhandewalan Temple, close to Hanuman Mandir Chowk, when the bus reportedly lost control and overturned. The vehicle was travelling from Jaipur to Delhi and had around 25 passengers on board at the time of the incident.
Officials said several injured passengers were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment, while the condition of at least two persons remains critical.
Eyewitnesses recounted that two children and a woman were trapped beneath the overturned vehicle immediately after the crash. They were later rescued by emergency responders and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Several other passengers who sustained injuries in the accident were also admitted to hospitals, where they are currently undergoing treatment, officials said.
Visuals from the scene showed extensive damage to the bus, with shattered glass, broken seats and detached wheels scattered around the overturned vehicle. Fire officials said that at least two fire tenders were deployed to carry out rescue operations, which began soon after the incident was reported.
Soon after receiving information, teams from the police and fire brigade reached the site and launched a coordinated rescue operation. A crane was later used to lift the overturned bus, allowing rescuers to check for any remaining trapped passengers.
Authorities said that the injured were immediately transported to hospitals, and the families of both the deceased and the injured have been informed about the incident.
Preliminary findings suggest that overspeeding may have led to the accident. Officials said the driver appears to have lost control of the vehicle while passing under the metro corridor in Karol Bagh, causing the bus to overturn. Police further said that the bodies of the deceased have been sent to the mortuary for post-mortem examination, after which they will be handed over to their respective families.
Police have begun an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Further details are awaited.
