15 killed as bus carrying distillery staffers falls into soil mine pit
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Durg, Chhattisgarh: In Chhattisgarh's Durg region on Tuesday night, a bus carrying employees of a private company fell into a "murum" soil mine hole, resulting in at least 15 deaths and over a dozen injuries, according to authorities.
According to City Superintendent of Police (Chhavni region) Harish Patil, the tragedy happened at approximately 8:30 p.m. near Khapri village, which is under the jurisdiction of Kumhari police station. The victims were all workers of a distillery company, and they were making their way home from work.
As per preliminary information, the bus with more than 30 people onboard skidded off the road and plunged into the 40-foot-deep 'murum' mine, he said.
Murum, a type of soil, is mostly used for construction.
Soon after being alerted, a police team reached the spot and launched a rescue operation, Patil said. The injured persons were shifted to a nearby hospital, the official said.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the accident and said adequate arrangements have been made for the treatment of the injured people.
"Received the news about death of 11 employees of a private company in a bus accident. I pray that departed souls rest in peace and may God give strength to the bereaved family members," Sai said.
With PTI inputs