A devastating road accident in Bihar’s Katihar district on Saturday evening claimed the lives of at least 13 people and left around 30 others injured after a collision involving a bus, a truck, and a pickup van on National Highway-31. The tragic incident occurred in the Kodha block area, triggering panic and chaos on the busy highway as locals rushed to help the victims before emergency services arrived.
According to police officials, the crash was severe due to the involvement of multiple vehicles. Many passengers were trapped inside the damaged vehicles, and local residents along with police personnel began rescue efforts immediately. The injured were quickly transported to nearby government hospitals in Purnea for treatment, where doctors are currently monitoring their condition.
The death toll initially stood at seven, but the number rose to 13 after six more injured victims succumbed to their injuries during treatment at the hospital. Authorities said several injured people are still undergoing treatment, and medical teams are working to stabilize their condition.
Superintendent of Police Shikhar Choudhary said the accident took place on NH-31 in Kodha and involved a passenger bus, a truck, and a pickup van. Preliminary reports suggest that the bus driver may have lost control of the vehicle, which likely led to the collision. However, officials have clarified that the exact cause of the crash will be confirmed only after a detailed investigation.
Police sources also indicated that several passengers travelling in the pickup van were reportedly coming from the neighbouring district of Purnea when the accident occurred. The impact of the crash was so strong that all three vehicles suffered heavy damage.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed deep grief over the tragic loss of lives. In an official statement, he announced financial assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the victims and their families. The government has declared an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the accident and ₹50,000 for each injured person.
The Chief Minister also directed district authorities and health officials to ensure that the injured receive proper and timely medical treatment. He asked officials to closely monitor the situation and provide all necessary support to the affected families during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, police teams have launched an investigation to understand how the accident occurred. Officials are examining possible factors such as overspeeding, driver error, and road conditions. Statements from witnesses and survivors are also being recorded to reconstruct the sequence of events.
The accident briefly disrupted traffic movement on the highway as rescue teams cleared the wreckage and moved the damaged vehicles from the road. Authorities later restored traffic after completing initial rescue operations.
This tragic incident has once again highlighted concerns about road safety on busy highways in Bihar, where heavy traffic and reckless driving often lead to fatal accidents. Officials have urged drivers to remain cautious, follow speed limits, and prioritize safety to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.