Balighat Bridge bus mishap: Rescue operations underway as bus plunges into West Bengal's Bhairab river killing 36

At least 36 people were killed and 11 people went missing after a bus skid off Balighat Bridge and plunged into Bhairab river near Daulatabad in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on 29th January.

At least 36 people were killed and 11 people went missing after a bus skid off Balighat Bridge and plunged into Bhairab river near Daulatabad in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on 29th January. (Photo | PTI) 

The Malda-bound state bus from Karimpur in Nadia district broke the railing of the bridge and nose-dived into the river. The eye witnesses alleged that the driver was talking over the phone when the incident took place. (Photo | PTI)

According to reports, there were around 56 passengers in the bus. 36 bodies have been fished out, of which fourteen have been identified. At least nine people were admitted to the hospital while 11 people were still missing. (Photo | PTI)

The state government said that the accident took place when the bus maneuvered left to escape head-on collision with the truck coming from the opposite direction. The bus could only be located after nearly 10 hours of the accident. Four 140 tonne-cranes were deployed to pull the bus out of the river. (Photo | PTI)

Meanwhile, angry locals stone-pelted on cops and set police vehicles on fire alleging late response in commencement of the relief operations. (Photo | PTI)

Cops were forced to lob tear gas shells and they also resorted to fire bullets in the air to disperse the mob. (Photo | PTI)

National Disaster Response Force sources stated that several more bodies might be lying on the river bed or may have been pulled downstream. (Photo | PTI)