Etah school bus accident: Over 15 children feared dead, PM Modi expresses condolences

At least 15 school children were feared dead while several others were seriously injured when school bus collided with a truck in Aliganj area of Etah district, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. 

The accident happened when the school bus collided with a lorry near Asadpur village on Thursday. The bus of J S Vidyaniketan was taking the students to school when it met with the accident, police said.

More than 50 school children were travelling when the bus met with an accident.

The victims were in the age group of 10-15 years.

Tragic road accident in Aliganj Etah. Over 15 school kids feared dead. Rescue of injured ongoing.

— Javeed (@javeeddgpup) January 19, 2017

The cause of the accident is believed to be thick fog in the morning. 

"Tragic road accident in Aliganj Etah. Over 15 school kids feared dead. Rescue of injured ongoing," UP DGP Javed Ahmad informed through Twitter initially. 

Ahmad said, "School was open against the order of district admin to close schools due to cold. More than 2 dozen children died."

"Priority is to rescue trapped children. Rescue operation is underway. Strict action will be taken against the school," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the death of school children in the accident.

"Anguished by tragic accident in UP’s Etah. I share the pain of the bereaved families and condole passing away of young children. I pray that those injured in the accident in Etah recover at the earliest," ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.

Anguished by tragic accident in UP’s Etah . I share the pain of the bereaved families & condole passing away of young children: PM Modi

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 19, 2017

DM and SSP of Etah have reached the spot. 

Many leaders expressed condolences to those who lost their lives.  

Heartfelt condolences on loss of young lives in tragic bus accident in Etah; prayers for speedy recovery of the injured #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) January 19, 2017

Deeply saddened by the news of tragic school bus accident in Etah(UP) Pray for speedy recovery of injured.

— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSBJP) January 19, 2017

I pray for the speedy recovery of the children injured in the accident. (2/2)

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) January 19, 2017

My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their kids in the tragic bus accident at #Etah. May the injured recover soon.

— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) January 19, 2017