Katihar Road Horror: 10 Killed, 30 Injured in Massive Bus-Pickup Collision

A horrific road accident occurred in the Katihar district of Bihar on April 11, 2026, resulting in the loss of 10 lives and leaving more than 30 people injured. The incident took place on National Highway 31 (NH-31) near Gerabari, within the jurisdiction of the Korha Police Station. A speeding bus collided head-on with a pickup vehicle packed with passengers, leading to immediate casualties and widespread chaos in the area. The victims included women and a young child, highlighting the severity of the tragedy.

Sequence of the Fatal Collision

The accident transpired between Phulwariya and Basgarha when the pickup van, carrying residents of Dhamdaha in Purnia district, was returning from a local fair. According to eyewitnesses, the impact was so violent that the pickup vehicle was completely mangled, and the front section of the bus was severely crushed. Local residents were the first to respond to the screams of the victims, initiating private rescue efforts before the police arrived at the scene, while the collision caused a significant traffic jam on the busy highway for several hours.

Emergency Response and Medical Treatment

Katihar Police and emergency services reached the spot shortly after receiving the alert. Authorities confirmed that 10 individuals died on the spot. Approximately 25 of the injured were provided preliminary medical aid at local health centers before being shifted to Purnia Sadar Hospital for advanced care. Medical staff reported that at least 20 of the injured are in critical condition. The police have taken custody of the bodies for post-mortem examinations and are working to complete the identification process for all deceased individuals.

Victims and Their Background

The passengers in the pickup van were identified as residents of the Dhamdaha area in Purnia. They had spent the day at a fair and were on their way home when the accident occurred. The news of the tragedy has left the Dhamdaha community in shock, while in a secondary tragic development at the same site, a motorcyclist named Sadanand Hasda was also struck by the bus and killed. Hasda was reportedly returning from Marwa village after visiting a prospective bride for his son, while two others on his motorcycle, including a woman and a child, sustained serious injuries.

Official Police Statement and Investigation

The Katihar Police issued an official statement regarding the incident, confirming the death toll and the ongoing rescue operations. "On April 11, 2026, a major road accident involving a bus and a pickup vehicle occurred near Gerabari. Ten lives have been lost so far, and the injured are receiving medical attention," the police stated. Preliminary investigations suggest that high speed and a possible loss of control by one of the drivers led to the head-on crash. The police have registered a case and are currently searching for the bus driver who fled the scene following the collision.

Current Situation at the Spot

The wreckage of the vehicles has been cleared from NH-31 using cranes to restore the flow of traffic. Senior administrative officials visited the site to oversee the operations and ensure that the families of the victims receive necessary support. The local administration has assured that a thorough inquiry will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the accident and to prevent such occurrences on this stretch of the highway in the future.