Katihar (Bihar), April 11 At least 13 people were killed and 30 others were injured after a collision involving a bus, a truck, and a pickup van in Katihar district, Bihar, on Saturday evening, a police officer said.
The accident occurred at 6:30 pm on NH-31 in the Kodha block of Katihar, Superintendent of Police Shikhar Choudhary told reporters.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for each injured.
While initial reports said seven people died in the accident, six of the injured succumbed to their injuries during treatment.
A local police official said that those traveling in the pickup van were coming from the neighboring Purnea district.
He said that the investigation is underway to determine how the accident occurred. It is suspected that the bus driver, who is among the injured, lost control of the vehicle, leading to the crash.
According to a statement issued by the district police, all the injured have been taken to the nearest government hospital in Purnea.
Officials are trying to identify the deceased, the statement said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the deaths in the accident and announced a compensation for the families of the deceased.
"The chief minister... announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the immediate family members of the deceased from the CM's relief fund. He also announced Rs 50,000 each for those injured in the accident," an official release said.
Kumar also directed officials to ensure better treatment for those who were injured," it said.