Fatal School Bus Accident in Maharashtra: 2 Students Dead, 50+ Injured in Overloaded Vehicle Crash

The school management has not yet released an official statement regarding the tragic incident.

A devastating accident occurred on Tuesday in Maharashtra's Nandurbar district when an ashram school bus veered off the road and plummeted into a gorge, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to more than 50 others.

According to officials, the bus was significantly overcrowded, carrying 56 students despite having a maximum seating capacity of only 30.

The tragic event took place in the Devgai Ghat area near Amlibari as the bus, transporting tribal students returning from Diwali holiday break, fell approximately 80-100 feet into a valley. The vehicle belonged to an ashram school located in Mehunbare, Chalisgaon (Jalgaon).

Local residents were first to respond to the emergency, conducting immediate rescue operations by helping to extract the injured children from the steep slope before emergency services arrived at the scene.

Among the casualties were a seven-year-old child and a thirteen-year-old girl. Two students are currently receiving intensive care, while 17 others with severe injuries have been transferred to Nandurbar District Civil Hospital. The remaining injured students are being treated at Akkalkuwa Rural Hospital.

Officials reported that the bus driver allegedly escaped from the vehicle as soon as it lost control and has since disappeared.

Reports indicate that the school had dispatched two buses to bring students back after the Diwali holiday period. The accident occurred when one of these buses crashed while navigating through a hilly terrain.

Dr. Mitali Sethi, the Nandurbar district collector, visited the hospital and assured, "The administration is providing full support to the students. We will utilize private medical services if necessary."

Law enforcement is currently investigating whether proper safety protocols were followed, examining the driver's behavior and potential negligence, as well as evaluating the overall condition and roadworthiness of the vehicle.

The school administration has yet to issue any formal statement about the accident.