11 dead, 38 injured as bus catches fire after hitting truck in Maharashtra
Nashik (PTI): At least 11 persons were killed and 38 others injured as a private bus traveling to Mumbai caught fire after hitting a trailer truck in Nashik city of Maharashtra early on Saturday, officials said.
The accident took place at Nandur Naka on Nashik-Aurangabad highway around 5.15 am when the 'sleeper' bus was coming from Yavatmal in eastern Maharashtra, they said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the bus tragedy and said ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of each deceased and the injured would be given Rs 50,000 each.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the dead and said the medical expenses of the injured would be borne by the state government.
"A luxury bus traveling to Mumbai from Yavatmal hit a trailer truck going to Pune at an intersection near Mirchi Hotel on Nashik-Aurangabad highway. Soon after ramming into the truck, the bus caught fire in which 11 passengers died," Nashik Police Commissioner Jayant Naiknavare said.
The injured persons were admitted to the District Civil Hospital and another private medical facility in Nashik, he said.
Before catching fire, the bus also hit a mini cargo van, due to which it got overturned, the commissioner added.
Another police official said 38 persons were injured in the incident.
On being alerted, the police, fire brigade, and other agencies reached the spot and launched a rescue operation and the fire was doused off. However, the bus was completely gutted in the incident, he said.
Some eyewitnesses said the fire was so intense that they could not do anything to save the passengers for some time and had to stand there helplessly.
The death toll in the accident may go up as the condition of some of the injured persons is serious, the officials added.
In a tweet, PM Modi said, "Anguished by the bus tragedy in Nashik. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected."
"An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of the deceased due to the bus fire in Nashik. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," he added.
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Sonam, Kamilini guide India to win over Pakistan in U19 Women's T20 Asia Cup
Kuala Lumpur, Dec 19: Riding on a brilliant four-wicket haul by 17-year-old spinner Sonam Yadav and an entertaining batting by G Kamilini, India thrashed Pakistan by nine wickets in a Group A match of the U19 Women's T20 Asia Cup here on Sunday.
Left-arm spinner Sonam delivered her best international bowling figures of 4 for 6, helping India restrict the arch-rivals to just 67/7 in 20 overs. The total was then overhauled in 7.5 overs, with Kamilini playing a stroke-filled, unbeaten knock of 44 runs off just 29 deliveries.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, only two Pakistan players, opener Komal Khan (24) and Fatima Khan (11) managed double-digit scores, with Sonam slaying the entire middle-order to send them reeling at 43 for six.
In reply, India lost opener Trisha Gongadi for a duck before Kamilini and Sanika Chalke (19 not out) were involved in an unbeaten match-winning 67-run partnership.
Wicketkeeper-batter Kamilini, 16, smashed four boundaries and three sixes to decimate the feeble Pakistan attack.
India will next play Nepal in their last Group A outing on Tuesday before the teams for the Super Four stage are decided.
Pakistan U19: 67 for 7 in 20 overs (Komal Khan 24, Sonam Yadav 4/6) lost to
India U19: 68 for 1 in 7.5 overs (G Kamilini 44 not out) by 9 wickets.
