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Local
Five Dead as Shahi Bus Plows into Chhath Crowd on NH‑727, West Champaran
✍️ Amar Ujala · Bihar
🗓 22 Aug 2026, 10:08 AM
👁 2
A high‑speed Shahi bus lost control on NH‑727 near Betia‑Lauria in West Champaran on Friday night, crashing into a crowd watching a Chhath orchestra. The collision killed five people and left another five critically injured.
A Shahi private bus traveling at high speed on the Betia‑Lauria stretch of NH‑727 in West Champaran veered off its lane late Friday night. The vehicle struck a group of spectators who had gathered on the highway shoulder to watch a live orchestra performance as part of the Chhath Puja celebrations.
Emergency services arrived quickly, evacuating the injured to nearby hospitals. Five persons were pronounced dead at the scene, while five others sustained serious injuries and were admitted to intensive care units for treatment.
Police officials sealed the accident site and have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the loss of control. Preliminary reports suggest driver fatigue or mechanical failure, and authorities have warned of stricter enforcement of speed limits on festival‑crowded highways.
Emergency services arrived quickly, evacuating the injured to nearby hospitals. Five persons were pronounced dead at the scene, while five others sustained serious injuries and were admitted to intensive care units for treatment.
Police officials sealed the accident site and have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the loss of control. Preliminary reports suggest driver fatigue or mechanical failure, and authorities have warned of stricter enforcement of speed limits on festival‑crowded highways.