In Bihar, 13 people have been killed and many others injured in a tragic road accident in Katihar district. The accident occurred at around 6 PM last evening near Basgadha Chowk in Kodha block on National Highway 31, when a bus collided head-on with a pickup vehicle. A motorcyclist was also killed in the incident. All the injured have been admitted to Kodha Primary Health Centre and Purnea Medical College for treatment.
According to local residents, a group of devotees was travelling in the pickup vehicle from Jharkhand after completing a religious ritual and was returning to Purnea. The speeding bus coming from the opposite direction rammed into the pickup, leading to the accident. Katihar Superintendent of Police, Shikhar Chaudhary, has confirmed the incident.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the tragic road accident. Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, the Chief Minister announced that an ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees each will be provided from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the next of kin of the deceased. The injured will be given financial assistance of 50,000 rupees.
