18 Kanwariyas Killed, Several Injured in Horrific Bus-Truck Collision in Deoghar

Deoghar: In a tragic incident that cast a dark shadow over the ongoing Shravan Kanwar Yatra, at least 18 Kanwariyas lost their lives and dozens sustained serious injuries after a violent collision between a bus and a truck early Tuesday morning near the Jamuniya forest region in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district.

According to police officials, the accident took place around 4:30 am under the jurisdiction of the Mohanpur Police Station. A private bus carrying devotees from Bihar and Jharkhand on the way to Baba Baidyanath Dham reportedly crashed head-on into a gas cylinder-laden truck coming from the opposite direction. The impact was so severe that the front portions of both vehicles were reduced to mangled wreckage, trapping several passengers inside.

Inspector General of the Dumka Zone, Shailendra Kumar Sinha, confirmed that the bus was a 32-seater carrying Kanwariyas participating in the annual pilgrimage. “Rescue operations were launched immediately with help from the district police and local volunteers. Unfortunately, 18 pilgrims could not be saved, and many others are critically injured. The toll could rise,” he stated.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and grief. Locals rushed to the spot, breaking windows and pulling out survivors as screams echoed from within the bus. Ambulances ferried the injured to Deoghar Sadar Hospital and other nearby health centres, while several critical cases were referred to Ranchi.

Godda MP Nishikant Dubey, expressing his sorrow, said, “This is a heart-wrenching tragedy in my constituency. During the sacred month of Shravan, 18 Kanwariyas lost their lives on their way to seek Baba Baidyanath’s blessings. May God give their families the strength to bear this loss.”