At least 10 individuals were killed and several others injured following a head-on collision between a private bus and a pickup van on National Highway 81 (NH-81) in Bihar's Katihar district on Tuesday. The incident occurred near the Simaria underpass within the limits of the Kursela police station.

The collision, reported in the late morning hours, involved a bus traveling from Pasraha to Katihar and a pickup van transporting laborers. Local authorities, including district police and administration officials, promptly initiated rescue operations at the accident site. The severity of the impact led to immediate fatalities and left numerous passengers from both vehicles with various degrees of injury, some critically.

Key details surrounding the incident include:

  • Location: National Highway 81, near Simaria underpass, Kursela police station area, Katihar district.
  • Vehicles Involved: A private passenger bus and a pickup van.
  • Casualties: At least 10 confirmed fatalities. The death toll includes passengers from both vehicles.
  • Injuries: Multiple individuals sustained injuries. They were transported to Katihar Medical College and Hospital (KMCH) for medical attention.
  • Response: Local police, fire and emergency services, and district administration teams were deployed to the scene for rescue and relief efforts.

Katihar District Magistrate Ravi Prakash and Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar arrived at the site to oversee the rescue operations. Initial reports suggest that the pickup van was heavily loaded with laborers when the collision occurred. Efforts were concentrated on extracting trapped victims from the wreckage and ensuring the injured received immediate medical care.

Following the accident, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the loss of lives. His office announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased victim. The government also stated that all expenses for the treatment of the injured would be borne by the state. Local public representatives, including Manihari MLA Manohar Prasad Singh, also visited the hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured and offer support.

An investigation has been launched by the police to ascertain the precise cause of the collision. Authorities are examining factors such as vehicle speed, road conditions, and adherence to traffic regulations by both drivers. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.