MP: bus' deadly dive into river; certificate was expiring in 10 days; death toll rises as probe ordered

Tragedy struck in Madhya Pradesh as a bus carrying around 30 people fell into the Narmada river on 18 July. The death toll had risen to 13 by early afternoon.

The bus was over 10 years old, and its fitness certificate was about to expire in around 10 days, as per news agency PTI. The bus broke the railing of a bridge on National Highway 3 near Khalgat, and fell into the river.

The river current was strong, and the National Disaster Response Force was deployed for rescue operations.

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The bus, belonging to the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, was headed to Maharashtra. The bus was registered with Nagpur rural RTO in 2012. Papers which certify that the bus is roadworthy were set to expire on 27 July. The bus' pollution control and insurance were valid, as per officials quoted by PTI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sadness at the tragedy. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that he was in touch with his Maharashtra counterpart. Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said that he was in touch with officials for rescue and relief work.