The Hindu : 40 killed in bus-lorry collision near Howrah

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003

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40 killed in bus-lorry collision near Howrah

By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA JAN. 28. At least 40 passengers were killed and over 15 critically injured on Tuesday when a bus from Baripada, Orissa, collided with a chemicals and paints-laden lorry on the Kolkata-Mumbai National Highway-6 at Panchla, Howrah, about 50 km from here.

The bus, carrying at least 55 passengers, was bound for Mangalhat in Howrah, the largest wholesale market for sarees. At 4.30 a.m., the lorry collided with the bus, as a result of which the bus overturned and fell into a ditch. Both the lorry and the bus caught fire and were reduced to ashes.

Fifteen persons managed to get out of the bus but the rest were burnt alive. A passenger, Prashanta Sethi, said he woke up after he felt some heat at the back of his neck. To his horror, he saw that his scarf was aflame. He turned around but could see nothing but fire and smoke. He grabbed his cousin, Purnendu's hand, broke the windowpanes and escaped. A few others did the same.

The injured were admitted to Government hospitals in Uluberia and Gabberia. The driver and the cleaner of the bus were among the injured. Traffic on the National Highway came to a standstill.

"It is a tragic incident. We have ordered an investigation," the West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, said. The Ministers, Pratyush Mukherjeee and Pratim Chatterjee, rushed to the spot to oversee the rescue operations.

Our Staff Reporter adds from Bhubaneswar:

Baripada police said the bus (no. OR-11B-6835), named `Kumar and Kumar', was carrying around 60 passengers. They said 38 people had been killed and 17 injured. Five persons, who escaped unhurt, had reached Baripada.

Most passengers were garment traders from Baripada and nearby areas, who travelled to Howrah every week for bulk purchase from the weekly market held there on Tuesday.

The Orissa Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 25,000 each for the next of kin of those killed. The Government would also bear the medical bills of those injured.

A team of officials from Baripada has gone to the accident site for ascertaining the identity of the victims and to extend help to the injured. A bus carrying relatives of the victims had also left for the accident spot.

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