MP: 3 dead, 54 injured as bus falls into gorge in Chhindwara

Three persons were killed and 54 injured after a bus overturned and fell into a deep gorge in Dulhadev Ghati in Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, police said Tuesday.

The incident happened near Harrai town in the district late Monday night, said Superintendent of Police Manoj Rai.

"A family from Chui village under Amarwada police station limits, accompanied by villagers, was returning after immersing the ashes of a kin in the Narmada river near Barman when their bus driver lost control and the vehicle overturned," he said.

The SP identified the dead as Tan Singh Patel (70), Bhikam (60) and Sadaram (60).

"Fifty-four persons suffered injuries of which 43 are still admitted in the district hospital. The rest have been discharged," the official said.

Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who hails from Chhindwara, announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the dead and ordered an inquiry into the incident.