More than 10 people were injured when a government-owned passenger bus overturned near the Topsia intersection in Kolkata. The bus lost control while traveling from Park Circus towards Science City, causing it to suddenly flip over, leading to chaos among the passengers.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus tilted and crashed onto the road, prompting screams of panic from those inside. Locals rushed to the scene upon hearing the commotion, finding many passengers trapped inside the overturned bus, including the conductor.
Rescuers faced challenges in freeing the passengers due to the bus’s position, which hindered access through the front door. Eventually, they managed to break the rear window and extract the injured individuals one by one, with about 16 people sustaining injuries, some severe.
The injured passengers were promptly rescued and transported to Chittaranjan National Hospital for treatment. The accident resulted in significant traffic congestion at the Topsia intersection and surrounding areas, prompting a swift response from police, fire services, and disaster management teams.
A senior Kolkata Police traffic official mentioned that CCTV footage from the scene was obtained for investigation into the cause of the accident. Initial reports suggest that a burst front tire may have triggered the incident, raising concerns about the bus’s operation without a valid fitness certificate.
Authorities revealed that despite the bus’s expired fitness certificate, it was still in service on a route from Howrah to Baruipur. Questions have emerged regarding the oversight that allowed the bus to operate without meeting safety standards, potentially putting passengers at risk.
Based on passenger and witness accounts, the police are expected to file a case under relevant sections, with a separate case likely under road safety laws for the bus’s unauthorized operation without a valid fitness certificate, posing a threat to lives.
