Bihar bus accident kills five people during roadside cultural event

In Bihar’s West Champaran district, a passenger bus traveling from Gorakhpur to Bettiah crashed into a crowd attending a cultural ceremony on Friday night. The accident occurred near Parau Tola Bankatwa when the bus, operated by Shahi Travels, attempted to avoid a collision with an oncoming truck and lost control, veering into a roadside gathering organized for a Chhathiyar ceremony.

Five people were killed in the incident, identified as Bahadur Mahto, Sanjay Kumar, Bhola Dubey, Devendra Dubey, and Chhangur Ram. Several others were injured, with some reported to be in critical condition. Local residents and police responded to the scene, and the injured were transported to GMCH Bettiah for medical treatment.

Authorities have seized the vehicles involved, and a manhunt is underway for the drivers of both the bus and the truck, who fled the scene following the crash. West Champaran police have registered an FIR for rash and negligent driving.

Separately, in Jaipur, a fire broke out in the parking area of a six-story residential building on Kalwar Road. The blaze destroyed 15 vehicles, including three cars and 12 motorcycles. Emergency responders evacuated approximately 70 to 80 residents from the building due to thick smoke, though no injuries were reported in the Jaipur incident.