Patna, June 17 (IANS) At least two people were killed, and eight others sustained serious burn injuries in Bihar’s Nalanda district when a passenger bus carrying labourers came into contact with an 11,000-volt high-tension power line in the Pawapuri police station area.

According to preliminary reports, the bus was transporting around 50-60 labourers who were returning to their village, Ghosrawa, after working at a brick kiln in Narkatiaganj, West Champaran district.

A bicycle placed on the roof of the bus allegedly touched an overhead high-voltage electricity line as the vehicle passed through the area.

The contact caused an electric current to flow through the bus, leading to panic among the passengers.

The deceased have been identified as Rudal Manjhi and his wife Phulo Devi, who died from electrocution while returning home from work.

Eight injured passengers were rescued and admitted to Pawapuri Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

According to an official, several of the injured are in critical condition. Those receiving treatment include Putus Kumari, Rinku Devi, Karu Manjhi, Santosh Manjhi, Pawan Manjhi, Saroj Devi, Dharmendra Manjhi, and Rajkumar Manjhi.

Local residents quickly responded to the emergency and helped rescue several passengers from the bus before police and emergency personnel arrived.

The prompt actions of villagers are reported to have helped prevent further casualties.

Police from the Pawapuri station reached the scene and initiated rescue and relief operations.

The bodies of the deceased were taken into custody and sent to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Gaurav Kumar Singh, the Station House Officer of Pawapuri Police Station, stated that the preliminary investigation indicates the accident occurred when the bicycle placed on the roof of the bus came into contact with the overhead high-tension power line.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“On the direction of the district SP, we have constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate this case,” SHO Singh said.

–IANS

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