Five killed, over 15 injured as two Punjab government pilgrimage buses collide head-on in Tarn Taran

Five people, including four pilgrims, were killed and more than 15 others injured after two Punjab government-run pilgrimage buses collided head-on on National Highway-54 near Naushehra Pannuan in Tarn Taran district on Saturday evening, officials said. The buses were carrying pilgrims under the state government's Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme, with 37 people travelling in them.

Tarn Taran Deputy Commissioner Nirmal Ossephchan said four people died on the spot, while one of the six passengers referred to Amritsar succumbed to injuries later. Five seriously injured passengers are undergoing treatment at Guru Nanak Dev Medical College and Hospital in Amritsar, while the remaining injured have been admitted to the Civil Hospital in Tarn Taran. Earlier, Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba said a motorcycle pillion rider was among those killed in the accident.

According to initial reports, the accident occurred when the driver of one of the buses, in an attempt to avoid a motorcycle, crossed the road divider and collided with an oncoming bus travelling in the opposite direction. One bus was travelling from Faridkot to Amritsar, while the other was going from Amritsar to Muktsar. The impact of the collision was severe, damaging the front portions of both buses and leaving several passengers injured, with some trapped inside the wreckage.

Residents and rescue teams pull passengers out

Local residents rushed to the spot and began rescue operations, pulling passengers trapped inside the damaged buses to safety. The deputy commissioner said teams from the civil and police administration, the Road Safety Force and ambulances reached the spot soon after receiving information and launched rescue operations. He, along with the SSP, visited the accident site to take stock of the situation and also enquired about the condition of the injured admitted to the Civil Hospital.

In a post on X, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said he had received distressing news about the accident and was deeply saddened to learn of four deaths in his initial post; officials later put the toll at five. He expressed condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and said strict instructions had been issued to officials to ensure the injured received the best possible medical treatment without delay. Congress MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring described the accident as heartbreaking, expressed condolences to the families and prayed for strength for them and a speedy recovery for the injured.

Both buses were carrying pilgrims under the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme, under which people aged 50 years and above are eligible to undertake pilgrimages. The Punjab government provides air-conditioned sleeper bus travel, accommodation and food free of cost to eligible pilgrims.