CALCUTTA, Jan 13: Following closely on the heels of the accident wherein a bus full of school children met with a watery grave in river Yamuna in Delhi, another mishap struck school students today, this time in river Padma in West Bengal's Murshidabad district.At least 66 persons, mostly school and college students of Karimpur, died as the tourist bus in which they were travelling plunged into Padma in the wee hours.
Fifty-four bodies have been recovered. Search is still on for 12 bodies. The students, who had been to Lalbagh, the seat of the Nawabs of Bengal, belonged to Pannadevi College, Karimpur High School and Jamshedpur High School.
According to reports, the students began their return journey at about 3.15 am.
As the bus reached Sadhu Kania at about 5.15 am, the driver, failed to negotiate a sharp curve in the dense morning fog, lost control and plunged into the river.
Locals managed to save the driver and 19 students. Police officials told The Indian Express that investigation was
on.
They added that initial inquiries had revealed that early morning fog could have contributed to the accident.
Expert divers of the Calcutta Port Trust were pressed into service to help the ongoing rescue and relief operation.
However, no one has been arrested so far. According to unofficial reports, the bus developed technical snag on its way and repair had to be carried out at Behrampore.
State Minister for Home Buddhadev Bhattacharya said since the accident site was very close to Rajsahi district of Bangladesh, the Border Security Force (BSF) had been asked to contact Bangladesh Rifles to look for the bodies.
Bhattacharjee said 53 bodies were trapped inside the bus, which was retrieved with a trawler crane of the BSF. Later, one more body was recovered.
The ill-fated bus was carrying 70 students, two teachers, two cooks, the driver, his helper and 10 locals.
Meanwhile,Prime Minister Gujra and President Narayanan have expressed shock at the unfortunate incident.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
