New Delhi/Vadodara, June 17 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday expressed condolences over the fatal luxury bus accident on the Vadodara-Jarod Road in Gujarat, as the death toll from the crash rose to seven and 28 people were injured, including two in critical condition.

In a post on the social media platform X, HM Shah described the incident as “extremely tragic” and said his condolences were with the families of those who had lost their loved ones.

He said the local administration was providing medical facilities to the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.

“The accident that occurred on the Vadodara-Jarod Road in Gujarat is extremely tragic. My condolences are with those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. The local administration is providing medical facilities to the injured. I pray for the speedy recovery of those who have been injured,” HM Shah wrote.

The accident occurred at around 4 a.m. near Kotambi village when a luxury bus travelling from Banswara in Rajasthan to Surat rammed into the rear of a truck parked on the roadside.

According to preliminary information, the truck had been halted while its driver was checking tyre pressure.

The collision crushed the front portion of the bus, trapping several passengers inside. Local residents and passing motorists rushed to the scene before emergency services arrived and launched rescue operations.

Police, fire brigade personnel and teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) carried out a large-scale rescue effort.

Firefighters used a JCB machine to separate the two vehicles and cut through the mangled metal of the bus to extricate trapped passengers.

Most of the passengers travelling on the bus were from Rajasthan. The injured were shifted to Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital and private hospitals in Vadodara, where treatment is continuing.

Hospital authorities said 28 people sustained injuries, with two reported to be in critical condition.

The accident also led to a traffic jam stretching several kilometres along the highway as rescue and clearance operations continued.

Reacting to the tragedy, Gujarat BJP state president described the crash as “extremely shocking and painful” and paid tribute to those who lost their lives.

“The horrific road accident that occurred on the Vadodara-Jarod Road is extremely shocking and painful. I offer my heartfelt tributes to the brothers and sisters who lost their lives in this tragedy and pray that God gives strength to their family members to bear this loss. I also pray for the speedy recovery of all the passengers who were injured in the accident,” he said.

Police have begun an investigation into the circumstances that led to the collision.

–IANS

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