New Delhi: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the death of several Indian pilgrims in a bus accident near Medina in Saudi Arabia. The victims were part of a group travelling for Umrah, as per agency report.

The bus, carrying nearly 40 Indian nationals, many of them from Telangana, reportedly collided with an oil tanker around 1:30 am (Indian time). Television visuals showed the vehicle engulfed in flames, with thick smoke rising into the air.

Vice President Radhakrishnan said he was deeply saddened by the road accident near Medina and extended his condolences to the affected families. He expressed heartfelt sympathy towards the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Prime Minister Modi also conveyed grief in a post on X, stating that he was extremely pained by the tragedy involving Indian citizens in Medina. He expressed solidarity with the families who had lost their loved ones and wished a quick recovery for all those injured.

The Prime Minister said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were providing all possible assistance and remained in close touch with Saudi authorities.

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju described himself as shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the deaths of several Indian pilgrims in the accident on the Medina–Mecca highway. He also extended his condolences to the grieving families.

Dehradun, July 15 – A recent study conducted by the Department of Psychiatry at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, has revealed that sleep and sleep-related disorders are significant contributors to road accidents in Uttarakhand, alongside alcohol consumption. As per agency report, the research, carried out between October 2021 and April 2022, analyzed 1,200 individuals involved in road accidents and found that 21 percent of the incidents were directly linked to drowsiness or other sleep-related issues.

Traditionally, intoxication has been considered the primary cause of road accidents in the state. However, the AIIMS study highlights that sleep deprivation and fatigue play an equally critical role. Researchers discovered that while 32 percent of the accidents involved intoxicated drivers, a significant number among them also suffered from sleep disorders, which were exacerbated by alcohol use.

The study focused on accident victims admitted to AIIMS during the research period, including 575 drivers, the majority of whom operated two- and three-wheeled vehicles. It was found that 26 percent of accidents were caused by extreme fatigue leading to drowsiness, while 21 percent were directly due to sleep-related disorders.

Notably, 68 percent of sleep-related accidents occurred on straight and commonly used roads, rather than on difficult or mountainous terrain. Most of these incidents happened between 6 PM and midnight, a timeframe associated with increased alcohol consumption and rising sleep disorders, especially among drivers who may already be predisposed to such conditions.

The findings underscore the need for increased awareness of sleep health, particularly for vehicle operators. Although regular checks using breath analyzers are conducted by authorities to curb drunk driving, the role of sleep and fatigue has been largely underestimated. The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Curious Medical Journal in the United States, adding international validation to its conclusions.

Ahmedabad, November 16 – A devastating fire broke out late Friday night at the Iscon Platina society near Vakil Saheb Bridge in the Bopal area of Ahmedabad. The blaze resulted in the tragic death of Meenaben Shah, who succumbed to her injuries during treatment. Over 22 residents, suffering from smoke inhalation, were rushed to local hospitals. The incident left more than 200 residents stranded, all of whom were rescued by a team of 50 firefighters. The fire was eventually brought under control with the help of 12 fire tenders.

According to the fire department, the fire started in the electric duct on the 8th floor of the M Wing and rapidly spread to the 22nd floor. The alarming situation caused panic among the residents, prompting an immediate response from Ahmedabad’s fire department, including the Chief Fire Officer, Additional Chief Fire Officer, and Divisional Fire Officer. A team of over 50 fire personnel worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of all residents.

The intense flames and thick smoke caused respiratory issues for more than 22 individuals, who were admitted to Saraswati, Zydus, Apex, and SIMS hospitals. Despite their efforts, Meenaben Shah could not survive her injuries. Temporary accommodations have been arranged for affected families in the society’s clubhouse.

The fire caused significant damage, particularly to flats 1 and 4 on the 8th floor of the M Wing, and completely gutted a flat on the 17th floor. Residents noted that the joint structure of M and N Wings facilitated evacuation during the crisis. However, power outages and heavy smoke made escape challenging, with many relying on mobile phone flashlights to navigate their way to safety.

The fire department confirmed that all trapped individuals were rescued and the fire has been contained. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Ahmedabad, November 15: A devastating road accident near Galadar village on the Ahmedabad-Udaipur National Highway claimed the lives of five members of a single family on Friday. The victims included two men, a woman, and two children.

According to the Tintoi police, the accident occurred when a family returning from a visit to the Shamlaji temple lost control of their vehicle near a bridge on the highway. Their car plunged approximately 35 feet off the bridge, resulting in the deaths of all five occupants. The family was identified as residents of Dantali village in Kheda district.

Harendra Rathod, a local resident, shared that the victims were on their way back from the temple when the tragedy struck. The deceased have been identified as Atulbhai Patel (45), Ritaben Goswami (35), Meenaben Goswami (15), Akshaykumar Goswami (9), and Rasikbhai Parmar (32).

The incident has left the community in mourning as the families and friends of the victims grieve this irreparable loss. Further investigations into the cause of the accident are underway.

Kathmandu, August 23 – A devastating incident occurred on Friday when a bus carrying 40 passengers from Gorakhpur, India, to Kathmandu, Nepal, plunged into the Marsyangdi River near Ainapahara in Tanahun district. The accident resulted in the death of 14 individuals, with 16 others injured.

The bus, embarking on its journey from the picturesque town of Pokhara after a two-day stay at the Majheri Resort, met with the tragic accident early Friday morning. Rescue operations commenced swiftly with teams from Nepal Police and Armed Police deployed, managing to rescue 16 passengers from the stranded bus along the river's edge.

Kaski Police spokesperson DSP Shailendra Thapa confirmed that the bus was on its way to Kathmandu when the mishap occurred. By afternoon, rescue teams had recovered 14 bodies, and 17 injured passengers were transported to the hospital for urgent medical care.

DSP Deepak Kumar Rai of Tanahun stated, "The ongoing rescue efforts may lead to an increase in the number of casualties as the operation continues." According to him, the bus was carrying 43 people including the driver and the co-driver. Efforts are ongoing to locate 13 missing passengers, with a team of 10 divers from Nepal Police and Armed Police involved in the search operations.

The Nepali Army has also been mobilized, with an MI-17 helicopter carrying a medical team dispatched to assist at the scene. Additionally, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has issued a helpline number (+9779851107021) on their official X account to assist families of the victims and provide necessary information regarding the accident. 

This tragic event has drawn immediate attention from both Nepali and Indian authorities, who are collaboratively working to aid the affected passengers and investigate the circumstances leading to the accident.

Ahmedabad, Jan 16 (IANS) Gujarat BJP MLA Mahendrabhai Padalia and Rajkot district secretary Ravibhai Makdia were injured in a road accident when their car collided with a buffalo on Ahmedabad-Rajkot highway on Tuesday.

The incident took place near Limbdi area.

Both the politicians were shifted to Limbdi Hospital for initial medical treatment by Limbdi MLA Kiritsinhji Rana.

Padalia served as vice president of the Rajkot Civic Body from 1997 to 2000, led the Rajkot District BJP from 2000 to 2005, and was a member of the District Panchayat from 2005 to 2010. His roles included the Human Rights Cell Regional Convener from 2009 to 2011 and the Porbandar District Incharge.

In a separate incident on January 15, Dhari MLA JV Kakdia was also indirectly involved in a road accident in which a person was injured but was taken to hospital by the MLA immediately following the accident.

Two youths from Adipur, Manish Rasikbhai Kataria and Bhavesh Shamjibhai Parmar, both aged 26, died in an accident near Chopdwa in Bhachau taluka on Friday night.

According to the Bhachau Police Chief, the youths were traveling in an I-20 car when an unknown driver of a heavy vehicle hit their car. The car collided with the road railing and the front part of the car was completely damaged. Both the youths died on the spot due to serious injuries.

The accident took place at around 3.30 am near Ramdevpir Temple. Other drivers passing by immediately contacted 108 ambulance, but the youths died before the ambulance could arrive.

There was a jam on the highway for some time due to the accident, but when the people standing there moved the car to the side, the jam got eased.

Bhachau police sources said that both the deceased youths worked in car repairing in Adipur and had gone to Rapar for some work. The accident happened while they were returning from Rapar.

Police have registered a complaint in this regard and are investigating further.

New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Ola on Sunday responded to the electric scooter fire incident that took place in Pune, saying our investigation has revealed that aftermarket parts used in the scooter led to a short circuit which resulted in the incident.

The company also confirmed that the battery of the vehicle is intact and functional.

In addition, the company informed "the customer is safe and unharmed".

A user had shared the video of the incident on X, mentioning that the model of the scooter was Ola S1, which caught fire, and the incident happened near the parking lot of D.Y Patil College in Pimpri Chinchwad.

"Shocking..... Ola S1 Get fired At Parking Near D Y Patil Institute Pimpri Pune," the user wrote.

The news was first reported by Pune Mirror.

The video shows heavy smoke coming out of a scooter while the fire brigade team uses a water hose to control it.

While there have been no casualties reported, the scooter was severely damaged.

This is the second such incident involving Ola's electric scooters in Pune. Another Ola S1 Pro scooter caught fire in the Dhanori area of Pune in March 2022.

In July this year, an Ola electric scooter worth Rs 149,000 reportedly caught fire at a residence in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district.

Meanwhile, a similar incident was reported by another X user on October 20, mentioning a fire incident with Ola S1 Pro.

"Hello Everyone, I am Abhijeeth Singh actually I am facing a lot of problems from Ola Electric. And the reason I am saying this is because, on August 24 my Ola S1 pro met with a Fire accident at midnight some 11:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. So after some effort, we managed to put off the fire," the user said.

He also shared a picture of the extensively damaged vehicle in his post.

Chandigarh, Sep 19 (IANS) Five passengers were killed and 10 others injured when a private bus lost control and fell into the Sirhind feeder canal on the Muktsar-Kotkapura highway while crossing a bridge in Punjab's Muktsar on Tuesday, police said.

Two people were reportedly missing.

The bus with 40 people on board was the way from Muktsar to Kotkapura when it fell into the canal. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.

"The condition of the bridge was bad," an eyewitness told the media.

The injured have been admitted to the Civil Hospital in Muktsar.

SURAT, India – In a shocking incident, a city bus claimed the life of a 21-year-old diploma engineer student, Jash Devgania, on the Pal-Umra bridge in Surat. The tragic event has brought to light once again the alarming frequency of accidents involving city and BRTS buses in the region.

A Promising Life Cut Short

Jash, who was carrying a bike on the bridge, was run over by a city bus and died on the spot. The driver of the bus fled the scene immediately after the accident. A resident of Adajan area and the younger son of two brothers, Jash had recently completed a Diploma in Automobile Engineering and was preparing to go to Canada for higher studies. The sudden loss has left his family, who are associated with the construction business, in mourning.

Another Victim of City Bus Accidents

The accident adds to a growing list of concerns regarding city bus safety in Surat. Recently, another student was injured after being hit by a city bus, emphasizing the need for increased oversight and safety measures.

Upon receiving the news of the accident, Pal police reached the private hospital where Jash was taken and declared brought dead. They promptly took further action, registering a case against the city bus driver.

A Community in Grief

The community's grief over the loss of a promising young individual extends beyond his family. The incident raises pressing questions about traffic safety and the responsibility of city bus drivers in Surat.

Jash's aspirations to further his education in Canada and his accomplishments in automobile engineering serve as a poignant reminder of the potential lost in this tragic accident. His death stands as a sobering call for increased attention to traffic safety measures, responsible driving, and oversight of public transportation in the area. Authorities are now under pressure to act swiftly to prevent further loss of life on the city's roads.

Visakhapatnam, Aug 8 (IANS) A speeding car allegedly driven by a youth in an inebriated condition ran amok, killing three persons, said officials on Tuesday.

The accident occurred on Rushikonda Beach Road under Arilova Police Station limits in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on Monday night.

According to police, the speeding car rammed into the divider and a tree before hitting a motorbike on the other side of the road. A couple riding the motorbike was killed on the spot. They were identified as Prithvi Raj (28) and Priyanka (21), natives of Odisha. The man was working as a site engineer in a company in Visakhapatnam.

One of the six occupants of the car also sustained critical injuries and succumbed on the spot. Manikumar (25) was seated on the rear side.

Three of the youths escaped after the accident while two youths, who sustained injuries, were shifted to KGH Hospital.

The group of youngsters in the car were reported to have consumed liquor. The car was coming from Jodugullapalem beach towards Sagar Nagar. According to a complaint received by the police, they had created nuisance on the road at Sagar Nagar arch by breaking liquor bottles. They had also snatched a mobile phone from a man.

When the victim approached Jogullapalem police check post to lodge a complaint, the police learnt about the accident. The police took him to the accident spot and he identified the car. Police recovered his mobile phone from the car. Liquor bottles were also found in the vehicle.

A police officer said they have registered a case and took up a detailed investigation.

In North Gujarat's Banaskantha district, a terrifying car crash occurred at Dhanera that was astonishingly caught on CCTV. The driver, who reportedly lost control of the vehicle while travelling at high speed along the highway, veered off course into a petrol pump compound. The vehicle scaled a 6-foot wall before flipping backwards into a field. Remarkably, the driver escaped this harrowing incident with his life intact, and no fatalities were reported.

The CCTV cameras installed at the petrol pump captured the entire incident, which has since gone viral on social media. The sequence of events, reminiscent of a movie stunt, has left viewers astonished. As of now, no police complaint has been lodged in connection with the accident.

The petrol pump, located near Samarwada at Dhanera, was where the high-speed car dramatically lost control. After breaching the petrol pump premises, the car's momentum carried it up and over a 9-foot wall before it landed in the adjacent field and overturned.

What amplified the relief at the miraculous escape of the driver was the fortuitous circumstance of the petrol pump being closed at the time of the accident. As a result, there was no pedestrian traffic or other vehicles present, a fact that undoubtedly helped prevent a worse outcome.