Bus Overturns in Baghpat, Four People Die, Several Others Injured

Emergency Response

On the Eastern Peripheral Expressway near Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, a bus overloaded with pilgrims overturned at approximately 02:45 h. The impact caused the vehicle to flip onto the shoulder, sending passengers into the ditches and surrounding road works.^[8]

Rescue teams from the Uttar Pradesh Police and the state Disaster Management Authority arrived within minutes, hauling bodies to nearby medical centres. Four passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while several others suffered fractures, head injuries and internal bleeding, and were rendered unconscious before the arrival of ambulance services.^[8]

Investigation

The Baghpat Police Department launched an inquiry noting that the bus was carrying more passengers than its licensed capacity. The investigation will focus on the manifest of the coach, the condition of its seat restraints, and whether the driver exceeded safe speed limits for a loaded vehicle on the expressway.^[8]

Impact on Pilgrims

The bus, which had departed from Gorakhpur, was en route to Ayodhya’s revered Vaidyanath temple when the accident occurred. Among those injured are several scholars and local devotees who had embarked on a holy pilgrimage. In the wake of the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh government has called for a review of safety protocols for religious processions on major highways.^[8]

Government Reaction

The Chief Minister’s Office expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and affirmed that the incident would be treated with utmost seriousness. “We are conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of this misfortune and to prevent similar incidents in the future,” the statement read.^[8]