Two women killed, several injured as bus overturns near Gondal

At least two women were killed and several others injured after a private bus carrying devotees on a religious tour overturned near Gondal in Gujarat’s Rajkot district early on Monday morning.

The deceased were identified as members of the same family, a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law.

Officials said at least five passengers were in critical condition and had been referred to hospitals in Rajkot for further treatment.

According to preliminary information, the private bus bearing registration number GJ18U9985 had left the Bhojrajpara area of Gondal on Sunday for a religious pilgrimage to places including Bagdana, Alki Kotda, Rajpara and Bhaguda.

The accident took place around 4.30 am while the bus was returning and passing through the single-lane road between Vora Kotda and Bandra.

Police said the driver allegedly lost control while reversing the bus to give way to an oncoming truck on the narrow road, causing the vehicle to overturn into a roadside ditch.

A total of 62 passengers, including women, children and elderly devotees, were travelling in the bus at the time of the accident.

Locals from nearby villages and members of charitable organisations rushed to the spot after hearing the cries of passengers and began rescue operations by breaking the bus windows to pull out those trapped inside.

Emergency services, including 108 EMRI ambulances and municipal rescue teams, shifted the injured to Gondal Civil Hospital for treatment.