New Delhi/Vadodara, June 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed condolences over the loss of lives in a road accident involving a luxury bus and a truck in Vadodara Rural, as seven people were killed and 28 people were reported injured, including two in critical condition.

In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said he was saddened by the incident and extended his thoughts to the bereaved families, while wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.

“Saddened to hear about the loss of lives due to a mishap in Vadodara Rural, Gujarat. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,” the Prime Minister said.

The accident took place at around 4 a.m. near Kotambi village on the Vadodara-Jarod road, when a luxury bus travelling from Banswara in Rajasthan to Surat rammed into the rear of a truck that had been parked on the roadside.

According to preliminary details, the truck was stationary as its driver was checking tyre pressure at the time of the collision.

The impact severely damaged the front portion of the bus and left several passengers trapped inside. Local residents and passing motorists alerted authorities and assisted in initial rescue efforts before emergency teams arrived.

Police, fire brigade personnel and teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) carried out rescue operations at the site.

Firefighters used mechanical equipment to separate the vehicles and cut through the wreckage of the bus to extricate passengers. Most of those travelling in the bus were from Rajasthan.

The injured were shifted to Sir Sayajirao General Hospital and other medical facilities in Vadodara, where treatment is ongoing.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed condolences, describing the incident as “extremely tragic” and said the local administration was providing assistance to the injured.

“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,” he said in a post on X.

State BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma also described the incident as “extremely shocking and painful”, offering tributes to those who died and prayers for the recovery of the injured.

Authorities said 28 people were injured in the crash, with two reported to be in critical condition, while the death toll has risen to seven.

Police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

–IANS

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