03 June,2026 11:35 AM IST | Surat | mid-day online correspondent
Deadly bus crash near Surat leaves seven dead (Pic/Screengrab from X)
At least seven persons were killed, and around 40 were injured after two buses operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) collided near Bardoli town in Gujarat's Surat district on Tuesday, and one of them caught fire, police said.
As per PTI, all the deceased were travelling in the bus that caught fire. The incident occurred on National Highway No. 53 near Uva village, officials said.
They further added that the road where the incident occurred connects Maharashtra with Gujarat. Surat district Superintendent of Police Rajesh Ghadhiya said that one of the buses was travelling from Surat to Dhule, while the other was headed towards Surat from Chalisgaon in Maharashtra.
Ghadhiya asserted, "On the highway from Bardoli to Vyara, the bus headed to Maharashtra hit a tractor. After losing balance, it jumped the divider and collided with the bus coming from the Maharashtra side, causing it to overturn and land in a low-lying area beside the road. The bus caught fire", as cited by PTI.
He said teams of police, the fire brigade and officials from Surat and the neighbouring Tapi district rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations immediately.
"We rescued several passengers trapped in the bus and shifted the injured to Bardoli hospital. Around 40 people sitting in both buses received injuries, while seven people lost their lives. All the deceased were in the bus that caught fire," Ghadiya added.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday also paid tributes to the deceased. Fadnavis, while posting on his social media handle, X, said, 'The accident involving an ST bus from Maharashtra in the Surat district of Gujarat, resulting in the death of some individuals, is an extremely tragic incident. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. We share in the grief of their families.
Highlighting that all the necessary assistance will be provided to the victims, Fadnavis added, "The ST and Jalgaon district administrations are in contact with the Surat district administration, and all necessary assistance is being provided. Complete care is being taken of those injured in this accident. I pray at the feet of God for their swift recovery."
In Mumbai, State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of those killed in the bus accident, dubbing it "extremely tragic and painful".
As per PTI, the MSRTC chairman also paid tributes to the passengers and MSRTC employees who lost their lives in the accident and conveyed condolences to their families, according to a statement.
He added, "The heirs of the deceased will be provided assistance of Rs 10 lakh each," as cited by PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
