Six Killed, Many Injured in Haryana School Bus Crash; School Faces Scrutiny for Holiday Operation

Mahendragarh, Haryana – April 11, 2024

A tragic school bus accident in Haryana’s Mahendragarh district has left six children dead and approximately 20 others injured. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when a bus carrying students from GL Public School overturned after the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree.

According to reports, the driver was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the crash. Alarmingly, locals and parents had reportedly raised concerns about the driver’s drinking habits before the accident and even attempted to stop the bus from leaving the school that day due to his apparent state [India Today].

The severity of the accident is compounded by the fact that the school was operating on Eid-ul-Fitr, a gazetted holiday in India. Haryana Education Minister Seema Trikha addressed this issue, stating, “A show-cause notice has been issued to GL Public School demanding an explanation for their decision to remain open despite the holiday.” [India Today]

The situation has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. The school principal has been arrested alongside the driver and the school secretary. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident and identify any potential negligence.

Additional Details:

• The bus was carrying students from grades 4 to 10.
• The bus’ fitness certificate had expired in 2018, raising further concerns about vehicle safety protocols [NDTV].
• The Haryana government has formed a four-member panel to investigate the accident [IndiaTVNews].
• The Transport Minister has ordered a statewide inspection of school bus fitness certificates [Business Standard].

This tragedy has deeply affected the Mahendragarh community. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of students and upholding proper protocols in educational institutions.