Other States - Haryana   

Six children dead as bus plunges into Sonepat canal

Special Correspondent

22 children have been miraculously rescued by villagers, police and Army divers; two of the rescued admitted to hospital

PHOTOS: PTI AND AP

WHEN TRAGEDY STRUCK: This here is the scene at a Sonepat village in Haryana on Tuesday where a school bus plunged into a canal killing six children.

CHANDIGARH: Tragedy struck Bali Qutubpur village in Sonepat district early on Tuesday morning when at least six children were drowned as the school bus carrying them to Satkumba Varishth Public School at Kheri Gujjar plunged into the Western Jamuna Canal (Delhi Canal). At least 29 people, including 28 children and the driver, were said to be travelling in the bus and 22 children were miraculously rescued by villagers, police and Army divers. Two of the rescued children have been admitted to a private nursing home in Gannaur.

The deceased, aged between five and 15, were identified as Monika (5), Priyanka (8), Ankush, (6), Vishal (10), Jitender (12) and Manisha (15). The injured were identified as Amarjit and Preeti, both aged 14 years.

According to eyewitnesses, the tragedy occurred on the Ahulana Bridge as the bus driver, Sanjay, tried to avert a collision with a mule cart that "suddenly" appeared in front of the bus. Eyewitnesses said both Sanjay and Amarjit tried heroically to rescue the young ones from ending up in a watery grave. Sanjay was later taken to a private hospital with injuries.

A man carrying the body of his son who died in the tragedy.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda visited the spot this afternoon and ordered an enquiry into the tragedy. He also visited the Bali Qutubpur village, which was gripped by deep shock, and consoled the parents of the victims. He especially consoled the family of Nahar Singh that lost two children -- Priyanka and Ankush. He announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs. 2 lakhs each to the next of the kin of those who died.

He directed the district authorities to conduct post-mortem and other formalities at the earliest so that the bodies could be handed over to the parents. He conveyed the condolences of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Mr.Hooda also visited the injured at Dhankhar Hospital in Gannaur.

The Chief Minister directed the district administration to provide them free medical treatment. He was accompanied by Arvind Sharma, Jai Parkash, Deepender Hooda, all Members of Parliament, Anil Thakkar, Parliamentary Secretary, and Jitender Malik, MLA. He complimented the district administration for taking timely action. He also appreciated the help offered by the villagers as was done in the Haldaheri episode when Prince, a five-year-old boy, was rescued from a 60-foot-deep pit. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the bus did not have a speed governor and its first aid box was filled with iron pieces. Though the district administration maintained that all the 29 children were accounted for, yet there were unconfirmed reports that some children were still missing. Mr. Hooda directed the officials to make an announcement in the surrounding villages that if anybody's child was missing, they should immediately contact the district administration. The rescued children were identified as Deepak, Ruby, Kusum, Diksha, Neha, Kuber, Amit, Rahul,Ankit, Masoom, Ajit, Preeti, Manjit, Manisha, Manju,Babita, Nikki, Sharvan, Dinesh, Monu, Amarjit and Renu.

Former Haryana Chief Minister and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief Om Prakash Chautala has condoled the death of school children. In a message sent from Seattle, US, where he is recuperating after an operation,he expressed anguish at the death of six students and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Six children dead as bus plunges into Sonepat canal
Haryana uses new technology for street light

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu