KOLKATA: Seven persons were killed and several others sustained injuries when a bus collided head-on with an oil tanker on Saturday morning at Farakka in Murshidabad district.
The accident took place at around 5.15 am near NTPC crossing on National Highway 34 when the bus was heading from Siliguri towards Berhampore while the oil tanker was travelling towards Assam from Kolkata.
Police have informed that the drivers of both the vehicles died at the spot and five passengers in the bus were declared brought dead at the local hospital.
Over 10 persons who were injured are now undergoing treatment at Jangipur Mahakuma hospital.
The passengers in the bus were all sleeping when the accident took place. Among the deceased are Kamala Bewa of Jangipur, Rashikul Ansari and Anisur Rehman of Sagardighi and Arup Ghosh of Kandi to name a few.
Investigation by the police has hinted at overspeeding on the part of both the vehicles to be the primary cause of the accident. The bus was mangled to such an extent that the passengers had to be brought out through windows by the police and the disaster management team.
The local people too joined the rescue operation.