Key Points
- 18 Kanwariyas killed and at least 10 injured in a devastating road accident during Shravani Mela in Deoghar, Jharkhand.
- Accident occurred early Tuesday (July 29, 2025) near Jamunia Chowk, Mohanpur, when a bus from Bihar collided head-on with a truck transporting gas cylinders.
- The dead and injured were all pilgrims from Bettiah and Gaya, Bihar, en route to offer ‘jal’ at Baba Baidyanath Dham temple.
- Eyewitnesses reported a scene of chaos and destruction; many devotees were trapped in the mangled bus and required urgent rescue.
- District administration, police, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) launched immediate rescue operations; critically injured shifted to Deoghar Sadar Hospital.
- MP Nishikant Dubey and CM Hemant Soren expressed deep condolences and assured ongoing relief and medical care.
- The tragedy highlights the dangers of crowded pilgrimage routes during the sacred month of Sawan.
Deoghar: A catastrophic road accident claimed the lives of 18 Kanwariyas and left at least 10 others severely injured in Deoghar district, Jharkhand, early Tuesday morning. The accident took place around 4:30–7:15am near Jamunia Chowk under Mohanpur police station along the Deoghar–Basukinath main road, a route packed with devotees during the Shravani Mela season.
The bus, carrying around 35 pilgrims from Bettiah and Gaya in Bihar, was heading towards the famous Baba Baidyanath Dham when it collided head-on with a gas cylinder-laden truck. The impact was so intense that the bus was torn apart, leaving chaos, screams, and dozens pinned inside the wreckage. Eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene as police, ambulance teams, and NDRF personnel rushed to rescue survivors and retrieve bodies.
All the deceased and injured were Kanwariyas traveling to offer sacred Ganges water at the revered Shiva temple as part of the annual pilgrimage, which attracts lakhs of devotees to the region. Local authorities confirmed that some injured remain critical, and all are now receiving treatment at various hospitals, including Deoghar Sadar Hospital.
Godda MP Nishikant Dubey was among the first to confirm the high casualty toll, posting his condolences on social media and urging prayers for the bereaved families. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren also expressed grief, stating that the administration is doing everything possible for rescue and relief. Police officials have stated that preliminary investigations are probing potential driver fatigue, negligence, and the overwhelming pressure of the festive crowd.
Top district officials, including civil and police administration, have been present on site and at hospitals, while a crane was utilized to clear the bus and manage the tragic aftermath.
This accident has cast a shadow over the sacred month of Sawan, serving as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures on heavily trafficked pilgrimage routes.
