Bus crash horror sees 13 members of music troupe killed and 29 injured

15 April 2023 , 14:29

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Police and rescue officials inspect the wreckage of a passenger bus near Khopoli (Image: Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Thirteen people have died and 29 have been injured after a passenger bus carrying dozens of members of a music troupe left a motorway and crashed into a gorge.

The bus was on its way to Mumbai, in western India, from the city of Pune, where the musicians had performed, police officer Atul Zende said.

The exact cause of Saturday's crash near Khopoli in Raigad district of India's Maharashtra state was not immediately known.

Most of those killed belonged to the troupe, from Mumbai, Mr Zende said.

Rescuers helped the badly hurt from the wreckage and sent them to a hospital, he added.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the crash and announced monetary relief for the victims' families.

13 of the 42 passengers were killed in the crash (AFP via Getty Images)

The bus was carrying 42 passengers.

Photos from the scene show the mangled vehicle.

A pile of luggage can be seen to one side of the wreckage.

Deadly road accidents are common in India due to reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and ageing vehicles.

More than 110,000 people are killed every year in road accidents across India, according to police.

Ryan Merrifield