Two children killed, 10 injured as school van overturns in Rajasthan’s Kota

Representative image

Two schoolchildren were killed and 10 others were injured after their van collided with a Bolero and overturned in Rajasthan’s Kota district on Saturday morning, police said.

“The accident took place on Saturday morning when a van carrying 12 students was heading towards the school. Near Gota Road, one of its tyres burst, following which it collided with a Bolero and overturned,” Itawah Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Subham Joshi said.

Local residents rushed to the spot, rescuing the trapped children and taking them to a nearby hospital. The deceased were identified as Tanu Nagar (14) and Prisal Arya (9).

“Injured children are undergoing treatment. Six of them were referred to Kota in a serious condition. We have also directed the administration to immediately refer them to Jaipur and Delhi as per requirement,” Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Kota MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Rajeev Datta said, who visited the accident site.

Datta added that a meeting was held with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and district administration officials to review school transport safety. “They were directed to check the permit and other measures of any government and private school bus running in Kota. Prima facie, the van was carrying 12 students while the capacity was only for seven children. Four students were also referred to Kota city in a critical condition,” he said.

Education Minister Madan Dilawar and District Collector Peeyush Samaris also reached the site to assess the situation. “A probe will be launched in the case by the police and the district administration. Necessary action will be taken against the culprits,” Dilawar said.