Pakur : Sixteen people were killed while several others were injured following a collision between a bus and a truck transporting LPG cylinders in Pakur district of Jharkhand on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, the Pakur district administration has announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.
Pakur DC Varun Ranjan on his part said that the accident took place near Salpatra village. The injured have been admitted in a community health centre. Some were said to be in critical condition.
The District Commissioner said of those injured, six have been referred for treatment elsewhere.
The officer said the use of gas cutters was being avoided due to several cylinders still lying in the crash site.
All the senior officials of the district administration are camping on the spot.
Police said the bus was on its way to Dumka from Barharwa while the truck was coming from the opposite direction. It is suspected that the accident occurred due to dense fog.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has expressed grief over the incident. Soren took to Twitter and prayed for the souls of those lost in the crash.
He also directed district administration to ensure proper treatment of the injured.