At least eight persons were killed and 40 passengers injured when a Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) bus they were travelling in overturned on a state highway in Amreli district on Saturday afternoon.
According to a GSRTC district controller based in Junagadh, the bus met with the accident when it was negotiating a turn near Luvara crossing close to Gadhakada village in Savarkundla belt of Amreli district.
Filled to capacity, the bus was travelling from Upleta to Mahuva when the accident occurred.
On hearing about the mishap, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel announced a compensation of Rs. four lakh to the family of each deceased.
According to an official press release, the chief minister has asked the Amreli district authorities to ensure proper treatment to the injured admitted in government hospitals. The state government would bear the cost of their treatment, official sources said.
Two JCB machines and five teams of '108' ambulance service reached the spot to rescue the victims of the accident and take them to hospital, they said.
State Transport Minister Vijay Rupani reached the accident site within hours and announced that all those responsible for causing the mishap would face action.