2 Dead, 23 Injured As Double-Decker Bus Carrying Overturns In Delhi’s Karol Bagh, Driver Detained

New Delhi: In a major late-night accident in central Delhi, at least two people were killed and 23 others injured after a sleeper tourist bus overturned near Hanuman Mandir in Karol Bagh in the early hours of Wednesday.

According to Delhi Police, a PCR call was received at around 1:05 AM at Karol Bagh police station reporting that a bus carrying passengers from Jaipur had overturned, leaving several trapped inside.

The bus (registration number RJ-14PE-5065), a sleeper coach with a capacity of around 70 passengers, was travelling from Jaipur to Fatehpuri in Sadar Bazar and had approximately 30 passengers on board at the time of the accident.

Police teams, including SHO Karol Bagh and staff from the Ajmal Khan Road picket, rushed to the spot along with night patrolling personnel. Upon arrival, the bus was found overturned, with passengers trapped inside and crying for help.

In a swift response, a passing JCB machine was stopped by a constable, and with the help of locals, the bus was slightly lifted and stabilised using heavy roadside cement blocks. A rescue operation was immediately launched.

Around 10 critically injured passengers were initially pulled out and rushed to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Additional police teams, including senior officers, later joined the operation and helped rescue the remaining passengers, including women and children.

In total, 23 injured passengers were shifted to hospitals-12 to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, 10 to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and one to Lady Hardinge Medical College. Two of the injured succumbed to their injuries at RML Hospital.

One of the deceased has been identified as Shehbaj Alam (30), a resident of Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh. The identity of the second victim, believed to be around 25-26 years old, is yet to be established.

The driver of the bus, identified as Pankaj Kumar (26) from Alwar, Rajasthan, has been detained and is currently undergoing treatment at Lady Hardinge Medical College.

Preliminary reports suggest the bus lost control before overturning, though the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation. A case has been registered, and further legal action against the driver will follow after completion of the inquiry.

Police said the timely and coordinated efforts of the night patrolling staff, picket personnel, and local residents played a crucial role in saving several lives.

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