Death toll rises to 7 as bus collides with truck in Chitradurga district

The death toll in the bus tragedy in Karnatakas Chitradurga mounted to seven after the illfated bus driver succumbed to injuries in the wee hours on FridayAs reported by news agency IANS at least six people were burnt alive and 21 others suffered burns after a sleeper coach bus caught fire following a collision with a container truck in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka on ThursdayMohammad Rafeeq 42 was driving the bus when the unfortunate accident took place He was a resident of Shiggaon in Haveri district Soon after the collision he was admitted to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi city where he succumbed to injuriesNews agency IANS reported that he was thrown out of the bus along with the assistant following the collisionPolice while addressing the incident stated ldquoMohammad Rafeeq underwent surgery on Thursday night but succumbed to his injuries in the early hours on Fridayrdquo as per IANSThe bus driver Mohammad Rafeeq while recalling the unfortunate incident said that all he remembers is a speeding truck suddenly crashing into his busWhile briefing about the incident Rafeeq said I was driving at a speed of around 60 to 70 kmph All I remember is a container truck coming and hitting my vehicle I tried to control the bus but it was not possible Even as I attempted to steer the vehicle aside another bus was moving in the adjacent lane I donrsquot know what happened after that I donrsquot remember how I got out as per IANSWhile Rafeeq had already lost his life the condition of another passenger Manjunath was serious He has suffered 30 per cent burns and is currently undergoing treatment in the burns ward ICU of Victoria Hospital in BengaluruMeanwhile authorities stated that the charred bodies of five passengers would be handed over to their families after the DNA test results are receivedThe police officials said ldquoBone samples have been sent for forensic testing and the results are expected within a day or twordquo as per IANSWhile the police have already completed the identification of the deceased further proceedings will be done as per the protocolVictimsThe victim has been identified as 26yearold AM Navya a software professional working at a private company in Manyata Tech Park in Bengaluru She hailed from Ekalenahalli near Channarayapattana in Hassan districtAnother victim was a 27yearold Manasa a resident of Teggenahalli Layout in Channarayapattana in Hassan district She was also a software professional working at HCL in Manyata Tech ParkA twentytwoyearold IT professional named Rashmi Ratnakara Mahale was also one of the victims who hailed from Shirali village near Bhatkal town in Karwar districtThe other deceased include 29yearold Bindu and her fiveyearold daughter Greya residents of the Girinagar locality in BengaluruFive bodies were recovered from the bus which was gutted Another body has been retrieved from the container truck The authorities had recovered a total of six bodies Moreover a total of 32 people including the driver and conductor were travelling in the busInspector General of Police East BR Ravikanthe Gowda said ldquoThe private sleeper coach bus was hit by the container truck coming from the opposite direction which crossed the divider and hit the bus with full forcerdquo as per IANSKarnataka CM announces Rs 5 lakh exgratiaKarnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced an exgratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy and Rs 50000 each to the injuredAn investigation will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of the accident and to take necessary action he saidWith inputs from IANS