1 dead, 3 missing as MSRTC bus carrying passengers washed away near Yavatmal

A Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus carrying six passengers was washed away by strong currents of an overflowing nullah on the Nanded Nagpur route. 

However, as per latest report, it has come to light that one person is dead, while 3 others are missing in the incident was reported early in the day on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, near Yavatmal’s Umarkhed town.

Onlookers shot the video which went viral soon after it was posted on social media. The visuals show the bus being washed away at the Dahgaon Nullah between Pusad and Umarkhed. Reports released by the concerned department state that two people have been saved by the rescue. Among the missing are the driver and conducter of the bus who were stuck when it was being washed away. 

Maharashtra, Due to heavy rains in Vidarbha region, the entire Bus has swept away…. pic.twitter.com/MDKsg2Vmwg

— Satish Upadhyay (@satish90980234) September 28, 2021

It was reported that the bus was crossing the bridge submerged in water near Umarkhed, on Tuesday. The driver, despite knowing the same, decided to proceed with driving, informed the Managing Director Shekhar Channe.

The Indian Express quoted a senior MSRTC official, who confirmed, “The incident happened around 8 am. The MSRTC bus had six persons aboard, including the staff. While crossing Dahgaon Nala between Pusad and Umarkhed, the bus was swept away due to the force of the water. Two persons have been rescued while we are looking for four others.

Authorities from the Umarkhed civic body knew about the incident after the video was shared on social media. Officials from the administration along with the rescue teams rushed to the spot to begin the operations. 

Similar incident was reported a few days back in Aurangabad when a bus fell into the Kasura River injuring 16 out of the 23 passengers onboard plying from Jalna to Ashti. Preliminary investigation revealed that the bus was being driven in a rash manner and this was reported to the authorities, who booked charges on the driver for negligence and reckless driving. However, it was also said that the driver, soon after the incident, helped the officials in the rescue operation. A police official, in a conversation with the Times of India, said that the bus was crossing an overflowing bridge which did not have safety grills on the side. Fortunately, the water level was not deep and hence no deaths were reported.