Jaunpur: A late-night pilgrimage turned into tragedy when a double-decker bus carrying devotees from Chhattisgarh was involved in a horrific collision with a truck on the Varanasi-Lucknow highway in Jaunpur district. The accident, which occurred around 2:30 a.m. near Kulhanamau village under Baksha police station limits, claimed the lives of four passengers and left six others critically injured.
The group of devotees was returning from Ayodhya and en route to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi when the crash occurred. According to preliminary reports, the truck traveling ahead of the bus abruptly applied brakes, leaving the bus driver with no time to react. The bus slammed into the rear of the truck at high speed, causing severe damage and triggering chaos among the sleeping passengers.
Lives Lost in the Collision
Authorities have confirmed the identities of the deceased, which include:
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Asha Bhavan, 30, wife of Aparan Bhavan (resident of PV-18, Gonda Police Station, Kanker district)
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Gulab Sahu, wife of Kushav Sahu (resident of Ammidih Tola village, Dangar Police Station, Rajnandgaon district)
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Deepak, the driver of the double-decker bus
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One more individual whose identity is still being verified by local officials
Their untimely deaths have sent shockwaves through their home communities in Chhattisgarh, where the victims were part of a larger religious group making a spiritual journey across prominent Hindu pilgrimage sites.
Critical Injuries Among Survivors
Six individuals sustained serious injuries and were immediately rushed to the district hospital by local authorities. The injured include:
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Sudha Mandal (PV-18, Gonda, Kanker)
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Lakhan Das (PV-18, Gonda, Kanker)
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Virendra Mandal (PV-3, Gonda Hur, Kanker)
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Somesh Sahu (Dhaba village, Rajnandgaon)
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Two others, yet to be publicly identified, are undergoing treatment under intensive observation.
Doctors have indicated that while all injured are stable, several require surgical intervention and prolonged care.
Swift Response from Authorities
Within minutes of the accident, local police and administrative teams reached the scene to manage the rescue operation and clear the traffic congestion on the busy highway. Superintendent of Police Dr. Kaustubh and District Magistrate Dr. Dinesh Chandra personally visited the hospital to monitor the treatment of the injured and assured families of full support.
Speaking to the press, SP Kaustubh said, “We are investigating the circumstances that led to the sudden braking by the truck driver. If negligence is found, appropriate legal action will be taken.”
District Magistrate Chandra added, “The families of the deceased are being contacted, and we will extend all necessary assistance to them. Our priority is ensuring that the injured receive the best possible medical care.”
