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Over 80 feared killed in Karnataka bus mishap

Over 80 people were feared drowned when an overcrowded private bus plunged into a pond at Uchangidurga in Davanagere district of Karnataka, about 300 km from Bangalore, today.

This is the second major road accident in less than three months in the district. A bus had plunged into a tank here, killing 94 people, on June 8.

Official sources said that so far eight bodies have been recovered from the pond.

Most of the victims were returning to Davanagere after offering prayers at a fair on the full-moon day at Uchangidurga.

Additional Director General of Police (law and order) T Madiyal said rescue and relief operations were on and would continue through the night.

The mishap occurred when the driver was reversing the vehicle.

Inspector General of Police A R Infant, Superintendent of Police Gopal Hosur and other senior officials have rushed to the spot.

Madiyal said four people, including a child and a woman, escaped with minor injuries.

He said the bus was almost four to five feet deep inside the pond, which was almost full.

Unconfirmed reports said there was trouble in the village when an angry mob threw stones at the police protesting delay in undertaking rescue and relief operations. Police used mild force to chase away the crowd.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee expressed shock and grief over the accident. He has asked the authorites concerned to undertake the necessary relief work on war-footing, a press release in New Delhi said.

Karnataka Chief Minister J H patel, who is in the thick of electioneering in northern Karnataka, also expressed shock over the accident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 to the families of the deceased.

UNI

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