UP: Unnao bus accident survivor says sleeping passengers jolted awake by "aandhi- toofan" sound

Unnao (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 10 (ANI): A survivor of the accident on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway, in which 18 people were killed after a bus collided with a milk container early Wednesday morning, said that passengers who were asleep in the bus originating from Bihar's Shivhar district were awakened by loud commotion in the crash.
The mishap occurred this morning at 5.15 am on the Expressway near Gadha Village in the Behtamujawar Police Station area.
The survivor, a woman identified as Raushan who was travelling to Delhi on the 'Namaste Bihar' bus with her daughter said they were jolted awake by a sudden sound that seemed like a storm or a hurricane. "We were both asleep when suddenly we heard a commotion as if there was a aandhi (storm) and toofan (hurricane). Somehow, my daughter and I managed to get out of the vehicle with someone's help. We live in Delhi for employment... Our luggage and my phone are still on the bus. ...We didn't expect that we'd have to travel on a bus which was in bad condition."
According to the official report, the bus was carrying a total of 57 passengers. While 18 people succumbed to their injuries, 19 passengers sustained injuries and the remaining 20 who were safe were sent to Delhi in other vehicles.
Unnao District Magistrate Gaurang Rathi said, "About 57 passengers were travelling in a private bus which was going to Delhi. 18 people died and 19 others were injured after the bus collided with a milk container at 5:15 am. About 20 people were safe, and they are being sent to Delhi. We have referred six people to the Trauma Centre, the rest will be treated at the district hospital. We have adequate arrangements for treatment and we will take all necessary action as soon as possible."
Arvind Chaurasia the Circle Officer of Bangarmau in Unnao said that the 'Namaste Bihar' bus plies from Shivhar district of Bihar. He said that the District Magistrate had provided instructions to the Regional Transport Office and an FIR has been lodged in this case.
"This is an unfortunate incident. A bus named 'Namaste Bihar' that runs from the Shivhar district of Bihar collided with a milk container due to which 18 people died and 19 people were injured. The other 22 safe people are being sent to Delhi by another bus. DM has taken cognizance of the matter and has given instructions to RTO, FIR is being lodged in the case..." Chaurasia said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled the deaths in the accident and has instructed the district administration to immediately take the injured to the hospital and provide them with proper treatment. He also wished the injured speedy recovery.
Taking to X, Adityanath said, "The loss of life in a road accident in Unnao district is extremely sad and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved family. District administration officials have been instructed to reach the spot and speed up the relief work. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed souls in his feet and provide speedy recovery to the injured."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his grief over this incident. "The road accident in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh is extremely painful. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this. May God give them strength in this difficult time. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way," he said on X.
PM Modi further announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased in the accident and Rs 50,000 to the injured. (ANI)