Eleven people are dead after a tragic bus accident today in East Burdwan, sending shockwaves across the region. The horrific crash happened this morning on a busy National Highway, involving a crowded passenger bus. Emergency workers are rushing to the scene, pulling survivors from the wreckage and helping the injured, many of whom are in critical condition. This devastating incident has closed parts of the highway, as authorities begin a full investigation into what caused such a profound loss of life.
Terrible Crash Takes Lives in East Burdwan
A terrible road crash on National Highway 19 in East Burdwan, West Bengal, has left eleven people dead and many more hurt. The incident happened on Friday morning, around 7:00 AM, at the Nala Ferry Ghat area, also known as Fagupur crossing. A bus carrying pilgrims crashed into a truck that was standing still on the highway. The bus was full of people who were on their way back from a holy trip to Gangasagar. Most of the people on the bus were from the East Champaran district of Bihar. Initial police reports suggest that the bus driver might have fallen asleep while driving. There are also claims that the truck was parked in a wrong and risky way on the highway.
Lost Lives and Injuries
The crash caused the immediate death of eleven people. Doctors at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital said that all the people who died had very bad head injuries. Among those who died, ten bodies have been identified and belong to people from Bihar. They include:
- Mira Devi (30)
- Amarjit Kumar (14)
- Jogi Sahni (65)
- Nagina Sahni (76)
- Naresh Paswan (45)
- Pundeb Paswan (65)
- Sundarpati Devi (65)
- Shiv Shankar Giri (54)
- Sukdev Sharma (68)
- Paras Shah (46)
Besides the eleven deaths, at least 35 to 37 other people were hurt. This number included six children. Many of the injured are in a serious condition, including the bus driver. All the injured were quickly taken to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital for care.
Help Arrives at the Accident Spot
When the crash happened, local people were the first to rush to the spot to help. They worked to rescue the injured from the damaged bus. Soon after, police and rescue teams arrived. They worked to clear the area and make sure the injured received medical help. The bus was carrying about 45 people in total. The front part of the bus was very badly damaged due to the strong impact. Some people were even thrown out of the bus because of the force of the collision.
Police Start Investigation
Police have started a full investigation into what caused this crash. They have taken both the bus and the truck into their care. A police report has been made, stating that the trailer truck was parked illegally on the main highway. The driver of the truck ran away from the scene after the accident and has not yet been found. Locals have often complained that trucks are parked in dangerous ways on this part of the highway, even though there is a service lane where they could park safely. The accident caused a big traffic jam on NH-19. a large number of police officers were sent to control the traffic and clear the road.
Support for Victims and Families
The local government of East Burdwan has announced financial help for the families who lost loved ones. Each family of a person who died will receive two lakh rupees. The Chief Minister of Bihar also expressed sadness about the accident and promised help, including money and medical support for those hurt. There are also national rules for financial help for accident victims. The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 has sections that talk about payment for harm caused by vehicle accidents.
“Under Section 161 of the Act, the Central government provides for compensation in case of hit and run motor accidents. If a person dies from a hit and run motor accident, a sum of at least two lakh rupees is given as compensation by the government. If a person gets seriously hurt from a hit and run motor accident, at least fifty thousand rupees is provided as compensation.”
For accidents that are not hit-and-run, Section 164 of the same Act states that if a person dies, five lakh rupees should be paid. if a person is seriously hurt, two and a half lakh rupees should be paid by the vehicle owner or their insurance company. Also, the government started a “Cashless Treatment” plan on May 5, 2025. This plan aims to provide free medical care for road accident victims up to one and a half lakh rupees for seven days from the accident date, provided the police are told about the accident within 24 hours.
Concerns About Road Safety
This crash brings back concerns about road safety on National Highway 19 and across West Bengal. This highway is a very essential road connecting West Bengal with other states. it is often known for many accidents. Reasons for crashes on this highway include vehicles going too fast, poor checking of traffic rules. many heavy vehicles. The West Bengal government has been working on improving road safety. On January 8, 2025, new safe speed limits were put in place across the state based on different road types and traffic conditions. For example, public buses are now limited to 20 kilometers per hour. The state also has a “Safe Drive Safe Life” program that started in 2016, aimed at making people more aware of safe driving. In November 2024, the government also started plans for “Road Safety Clubs” in schools to teach students about road rules and safe habits. Kolkata has also taken steps to make roads safer, including more traffic rule checks and installing more speed cameras. Despite these efforts, this recent accident shows that there is still much work to be done to make roads truly safe for everyone. 
