10 pilgrims run over by bus in Aurangabad

Ten pilgrims, including four women were run over by a bus that was hit by a truck, under Muffasil police station of Aurangabad on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.

Police said the incident took place at around 2.15 am when 32 pilgrims returning to Rohtas from Deogarh after offering prayers to Lord Shiva during the holy month of ‘Saawan’. “The passengers had taken a break after getting down from the bus and were sleeping at the road side in front of their parked bus. A container truck hit the bus with force from behind and they were trapped in wheels of the bus,” police said.

Sadar Hospital Auarangabad confirmed 12 deaths. Fifteen others were injured in the accident.

All passengers belonging to Rohtas had gone to Deoghar by bus two days ago and were returning. The police said the container truck driver probably did not anticipate the bus parked by the side of the national highway. Aurangabad DM N C Jha said the state government had announced Rs 2.5 lakh compensation to the next of kin of each victim and Rs 50000 each to the injured.