Minibus crash on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway kills at least four
- A minibus carrying pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh fell into a 15-foot drain in Kota on Saturday.
- Reports on the death toll vary, with counts ranging from four to eight fatalities.
- The group was traveling from Bhopal to the Khatu Shyam Temple in Rajasthan.
- Authorities suspect the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel before the crash.
- Rescue operations were complicated by water and silt accumulation in the drain.
A minibus carrying pilgrims plunged into a 15-foot-deep drain on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Kota, Rajasthan, at approximately 6 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The vehicle crashed near pole number 384 within the Simliya police station limits.
Some reports indicate the crash occurred at 6:30 a.m.. Other reports place the time at 7 a.m. after the vehicle broke through a divider and fell about 20 feet.
A minibus plunged into a 15-foot-deep drain on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Kota, Rajasthan, at approximately 6 am on Saturday, October 17, 2026, and the vehicle fell approximately 20 feet into the drain.
Conflicting reports emerge on death toll
Reports on the number of casualties vary significantly across different news outlets. The Economic Times, The Tribune, The Print, Deccan Herald, and Bhaskar English reported four deaths and two critical injuries.
The Hindu reported eight deaths and 15 injuries, with eight of those victims in critical condition. Newsbytesapp reported seven deaths and 10 injuries.
Bilkulonline reported at least eight deaths and 17 serious injuries. Semliya Station House Officer Nand Singh told news.abplive.com that seven people died and at least 15 to 16 others suffered injuries.
Estimates of the total number of passengers on the minibus also differ. The Economic Times, The Tribune, and The Print reported around 17 passengers. The Hindu estimated 23 passengers, while Bhaskar English reported more than 25 people on board.
Pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh traveling to Khatu Shyam Temple
The passengers were extended family members from the Bhopal and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh. They departed from Bhopal at 7 p.m. Friday for a four-day pilgrimage to the Khatu Shyam Temple in Sikar, Rajasthan.
Most of the victims lived in Ghatbiroli village, located 65 kilometers from the Betul district headquarters. The group was traveling on a tempo traveller when the vehicle broke through a divider in the Simliya Police Station area and plunged into a 15-foot-deep drain.
Estimates of the number of passengers vary. Newsbytesapp reported about 20 people on board, while bilkulonline reported more than 25 passengers. The accident occurred Saturday morning on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Kota, Rajasthan.
Driver fatigue suspected in early morning accident
Preliminary investigations suggest the driver dozed off while traveling at high speed. Assistant Superintendent of Police Ram Kalyan Meena said the driver fell asleep on the eight-lane expressway, causing the bus to fall into a culvert.
Station House Officer Nand Singh said the vehicle lost control after crossing the Karadiya toll plaza while heading toward Sultanpur. The driver could not regain control of the vehicle before it crashed through the divider.
Rescue efforts hampered by silt and water accumulation
Emergency personnel faced significant challenges while attempting to rescue passengers trapped in the 15-foot drain. Silt and water accumulation inside the drain severely hampered the recovery operation.
Rescuers utilized cranes to retrieve the damaged vehicle. A Hydra machine also assisted in the rescue of the trapped passengers. The front portion of the minibus sustained heavy damage during the impact.
Injured transported to Kota medical facilities
Emergency responders deployed multiple ambulances to transport the injured to the New Medical College Hospital and MBS Hospital in Kota. Simliya Station House Officer Nand Singh said three ambulances were used for the transport.
Sultanpur Block Chief Medical Officer Rajesh Samar reported that four ambulances were dispatched to the scene immediately following the accident. Some patients remain in critical condition at the facilities and have been shifted to the intensive care unit.
District Collector Piyush Samaria and Inspector General Harendra Mahawar arrived at MBS Hospital to oversee the situation. Samaria confirmed that eight people were brought dead to the hospital.
Officials coordinate with bereaved families
The pilgrims departed Bhopal around 7 p.m. on Friday to visit the Khatu Shyam Temple. Multai police station house officer Vikas Patel visited the bereaved families to inform them of the tragedy.
Patel also coordinated the collection of the bodies. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot posted on X regarding the incident. Gehlot said, "The news of several people losing their lives in a road accident involving a minibus traveling from Bhopal to Khatu Shyamji in Kota district's Simliya police station area is deeply saddening and heartbreaking".
Frequently Asked Questions
- Delhi-Mumbai Expressway accident: 4 dead, 2 injured as minibus plunges into 15-foot drain in Rajasthan - The Economic Times (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
- 4 dead as minibus plunges into 15-foot-deep drain on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan - The Tribune (tribuneindia.com)
- Rajasthan: 4 dead, 2 injured as minibus plunges into 15-foot drain on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (theprint.in)
- Rajasthan: Four dead, two injured as mini-bus plunges into 15-ft drain on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (deccanherald.com)
- 8 killed, 15 injured as minibus falls into 15-foot drain along Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Kota - The Hindu (thehindu.com)
- 4 killed as mini-bus falls into drain on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: Over 25 passengers aboard, crane used in rescue - Kota News (bhaskarenglish.in)
- Rajasthan: 7 dead, 10 injured in Delhi-Mumbai Expressway accident (newsbytesapp.com)
- Eight killed as minibus falls into ditch on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan’s Kota (bilkulonline.com)
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