Manipur Bus Accident: 7 students killed, 25 injured after school bus overturns

IMPHAL : Seven students were killed and over 25 others suffered grievous injuries after a school bus overturned in Manipur's Noney district on Wednesday, police said.

The incident took place on Old Cachar Road near Longsai area of the hill district, around 55 km from the state capital, they said. The injured students are being treated at a few hospitals in Imphal, after being evacuated from the accident site, a police officer said.

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The students of Thambalnu Higher Secondary School were on an annual study tour to Khoupum when they met with the accident, he said, adding, the bus in which the girl students were travelling overturned after the driver lost control of it.

The Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankar via his official twitter account said: "Pained to hear about the loss of lives in a school bus accident in Noney district, Manipur. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Pained to hear about the loss of lives in a school bus accident in Noney district, Manipur. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) December 21, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the families of those lost in the accident and approves an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin and Rs 50,000 for those that were injured.

Anguished by the loss of lives in Manipur's Noney district due to a tragic bus accident. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover soon. The Manipur government is providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 21, 2022

Meanwhile, the state government on Wednesday directed authorities of all schools not to organise or conduct school excursions till January 10, 2023 in the wake of the accident. In an official order, the government said head of the educational institutions will comply with the directive failing which they will be held responsible for any untoward incident.

(Inputs from PTI)