Crowds gather as police and ambulances respond to a fatal collision between a bus and a mini-truck in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, which left 10 dead on Thursday (March 26, 2026). (Screengrab) | Photo credit: Special arrangement
At least 10 people were killed and around 35 injured after the bus they were traveling in overturned in an accident in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district on Thursday (March 26, 2026), officials said. The bus was returning from an event attended by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
According to officials, the incident occurred around 7:15 pm on the Nagpur highway near Umranala village, about 25 km from the district headquarters, under Mohkhed police station, when a private bus carrying more than 45 passengers collided head-on with a mini-loader and overturned.
Chhindwara Collector Harendra Narayan told The Hindu that 10 persons, including three women and a child, were killed and around 35 people were injured. Among the dead are the drivers of both vehicles.
He said while those treated at the district hospital were not out of danger, one critical patient was sent to Nagpur in Maharashtra.
“We have also sent some officials to Nagpur to help the family during treatment.
Mr. Narayan said it was a private vehicle organized by the administration to transport participants to the event.
“Both vehicles were speeding and when the bus was trying to overtake another vehicle, a massive collision took place,” he added.
Mr. Yadav attended a government function to launch development works worth over ₹500 crore and also a religious function in Chhindwara. The victims were returning from a government event that ended around 6:00 p.m
CM offers condolences
Expressing grief over the death, Mr. Yadav said a team of doctors has been sent from Jabalpur to Chhindwara and Nagpur.
“The road accident that took place on Chhindwara-Nagpur road is heartbreaking. My condolences to the affected families. I pray to the Almighty to grant peace to the souls of all the deceased. I wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he said on X.
The road accident that took place this evening on the Chhindwara-Nagpur road is heartbreaking. Sincere condolences to the affected families. We pray to Almighty God to grant peace to the souls of all the departed. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
I have informed the relevant authorities…
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) March 26, 2026
“I have directed the officials to make arrangements to treat the injured. A team of doctors from Jabalpur has been sent to Chindwara and Nagpur. The minister in-charge of Chindwara, Rakesh Singhji, has also been directed to change his schedule and reach Chindwara,” Yadav added.
The chief minister said that the injuries would be treated free of charge and announced financial assistance to the families of the victims.
“The next of kin of the deceased will be given an assistance of ₹ 4 million each and the critically injured will get an assistance of ₹ 1 million each. Treatment of all the injured will be provided free of cost. A control room has been set up at the Health Department in Bhopal from where the treatment of all the injured is being monitored round the clock,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Congress attacked the government and alleged that the tragedy was “the result of gathering a mob for the Chief Minister’s brand”.
State Congress president Jitu Patwari said, “The terrible road accident in Chhindwara is extremely tragic but more seriously it is a matter of collective shame for the government! Today the truth has come out that in the name of beneficiaries’ conference, the BJP government has been exposed as collecting mobs for rent. By wasting crores of rupees and violent actions, people are being brought into public money through taxes!”
“The government’s policy of pretense has put people’s lives at risk. People were forcefully led through the administration and the police to form mobs. Despite the pre-announced programme, no solid security measures were taken,” Mr Patwari said, calling for a judicial inquiry and an FIR against the officials found responsible.
Published – 26 March 2026 22:11 IST
