A tragic bus accident unfolded on Friday, October 31, 2025, in Madhya Pradesh’s Barwani district, claiming the life of one woman and leaving over 54 pilgrims injured. The incident, confirmed by local police, involved a bus carrying devotees that suddenly overturned.
Authorities reported that the devastating crash occurred around 9 a.m. in Baigaur village, located near Khetia town. The speeding bus lost control, overturned, skidded across the road, and ultimately collided with a divider.
Barwani Superintendent of Police (SP) Jagdish Dawar identified the deceased as 62-year-old Suman Bai, a resident of the neighboring Dhar district. The elderly woman succumbed to her injuries at the scene of the accident.
SP Dawar further elaborated on the aftermath, stating that approximately 35 individuals were rushed to the district hospital for urgent medical attention. Two of the injured, in critical condition, were subsequently transferred to a hospital in Indore. Those with minor injuries received immediate care at the Community Health Centre in Khetia.
The ill-fated bus was a privately hired vehicle, en route from Betma in Indore to Prakasha in Maharashtra. The passengers were pilgrims undertaking the sacred Narmada river parikrama, with the majority hailing from Indore and others from surrounding districts.
A multi-agency rescue effort was swiftly launched, involving the local police, the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF), and community volunteers. Their combined efforts were crucial in extricating stranded passengers from the wreckage.
Notably, two individuals were trapped beneath the overturned bus. They were successfully rescued with the help of two cranes and a bulldozer, highlighting the challenging nature of the operation.
While the bus driver reportedly fled the scene following the accident, a comprehensive investigation has been initiated. Police are currently working to verify all relevant bus documents, permissions, and passenger capacity to determine the exact cause and any potential negligence.