Mumbai: Twenty-five passengers died after a bus travelling from Yavatmal to Pune caught fire in Buldhana on the Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway on Saturday.
"25 bodies are extracted from the bus. A total of 32 people were travelling in the bus. 6-8 people are injured. Injured are being shifted to Buldhana Civil Hospital," said Buldhana Police Deputy SP Baburao Mahamuni.
Police authorities said that tyre burst was the main cause behind the fatal bus accident in which 25 people, including three children, were killed and eight others were injured in Buldhana district.
Officials said that the driver told the police that the accident took place after a tyre burst, causing the bus to overturn. Later the diesel tank of the bus caught fire.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those who died and Rs 50,000 to those who were injured in the mishap.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh. (with Agency inputs)
