West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Hooghly | June 23, 2026 : West Bengal’s Hooghly district claimed the lives of two women and left several passengers injured after a moving bus lost control and plunged into a roadside ditch on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred on the Burdwan–Muthadanga State Highway near the Adambandh area of Arambagh, triggering panic among passengers and causing temporary traffic disruption in the region.

The bus was travelling towards Tarakeswar when it reportedly developed a mechanical fault. The driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road before falling into a roadside canal-like ditch, locally known as a nayanjuli. The impact of the crash was severe, leaving many passengers trapped and injured inside the vehicle.

Witnesses said that the accident took place during the busy morning hours when the bus was carrying a considerable number of passengers. Moments after the vehicle plunged into the ditch, local residents rushed to the spot and began rescue efforts even before emergency services arrived. The sight of the overturned bus created scenes of chaos and concern among commuters and residents in the area.

Two women passengers sustained critical injuries in the accident and were declared dead. Several other passengers suffered injuries of varying degrees. Some were treated at the scene, while the more seriously injured were transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention. Health officials are continuing to monitor the condition of those receiving treatment.

Upon receiving information about the incident, police personnel quickly reached the accident site and launched rescue and recovery operations. Officers worked alongside local residents to evacuate injured passengers and clear the damaged vehicle from the roadside. Traffic movement on the Burdwan–Muthadanga State Highway was affected for some time due to the accident, resulting in congestion and delays for commuters.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a mechanical failure may have been responsible for the bus losing control, although authorities have begun a detailed inquiry to determine the exact cause of the accident. Officials are expected to examine the vehicle’s condition and gather statements from witnesses and survivors as part of the investigation.

The incident has once again drawn attention to road safety concerns in the region. Following the accident, local residents raised demands for immediate repair and maintenance of the road infrastructure, arguing that poor road conditions and inadequate safety measures have contributed to repeated accidents in the area. Many residents urged the administration to take prompt steps to improve the condition of the highway and ensure safer travel for commuters.

The deaths of the two women have cast a shadow over the local community, while concerns continue to grow regarding passenger safety on state highways. Authorities have assured that all necessary assistance will be provided to the injured and that a thorough investigation will be conducted to establish accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Rescue operations concluded and traffic gradually returned to normal, the tragic accident served as a stark reminder of the importance of vehicle maintenance, road safety measures, and infrastructure improvements in preventing loss of life on the state's roads.