29 killed as bus falls off Yamuna Expressway into canal near Agra, UP CM order investigation

At least 29 people were killed and several injured after a government-run bus fell off the Yamuna Expressway into a canal near Agra, on Monday morning. The double-decker bus was carrying around 44 people from Lucknow to Delhi.

Initial probe reportedly revealed that the driver of the Uttar Pradesh roadways bus dozed off while driving, losing control of the vehicle. The bus, after hitting the divider, fell from a height of 40 feet in Jharna Nala near Kuberpur at around 4:15 am.

The double-decker bus from Lucknow and bound for Delhi fell into a canal on the Yamuna Expressway in the intervening night between Sunday and Monday. At least 29 people are feared dead. The local administration has also reached the spot and started rescue and relief operations.

While it is being reported that at least 29 people have died in the extremely unfortunate accident, many others are injured and have been rushed to local hospitals.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed his anguish and offered condolences to the families of those killed. He has also requested Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma and Minister of State for Transport Swatantra Dev Singh. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh too has expressed his condolence and has asked the Agra DM NG Ravi Kumar to ensure proper medical treatment of the injured. Ravi Kumar also took stock of the situation at the site of the accident and said that the driver of the bus may have dozed off which led to the tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted about the tragic incident.

“Pained by the bus accident in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those injured recover fast. The State Government and local administration are providing all possible assistance to the affected,” Tweeted PM Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, UP Roadways has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased.