At least 13 people were killed and around 30 others injured after a bus, a truck, and a pickup van collided on National Highway-31 in the Kodha block of Katihar district in Bihar at around 6:30 p.m. on April 11, 2026, according to police officials.
Katihar Superintendent of Police Shikhar Choudhary said the accident occurred when the vehicles crashed on the busy highway, with preliminary investigations suggesting that the bus driver who is among those injured may have lost control of the vehicle. The death toll initially stood at seven but rose to 13 after several injured victims succumbed during treatment.
The injured have been shifted to a government hospital in neighbouring Purnea for medical care. Expressing grief over the tragedy, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased victim and ₹50,000 for those injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced similar financial assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, while President Droupadi Murmu and other leaders conveyed condolences and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
Highway Tragedy Devastates Families
The fatal crash occurred on a stretch of NH-31 near Gerabari in Katihar’s Kodha police station area, a route frequently used by vehicles travelling between districts in eastern Bihar. Police said the pickup van involved in the accident was carrying passengers who were returning from the neighbouring Purnea district when the collision took place.
According to Superintendent of Police Shikhar Choudhary, the impact involved three vehicles—a bus, a truck, and the pickup van causing extensive damage and leaving dozens injured at the scene. Rescue teams, local residents, and emergency personnel rushed to the spot soon after the crash to help evacuate the victims and transport them to hospitals.
Officials confirmed that several injured individuals were taken to government hospitals in Purnea for treatment. Initial reports suggested seven fatalities, but the toll increased to 13 as six more victims succumbed to injuries during medical treatment.
Authorities are continuing efforts to identify all the deceased and provide assistance to affected families. Investigators are also examining the exact sequence of events that led to the crash, though early indications suggest that the bus driver may have lost control before the vehicles collided.
Leaders Announce Relief, Express Condolences
In the aftermath of the accident, state and national leaders expressed sorrow and announced financial assistance for victims’ families. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar described the tragedy as deeply distressing and directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for those injured.
An official statement said the state government would provide ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased victim from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and ₹50,000 to those injured in the accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the incident, calling the mishap “extremely painful” in a message shared on social media.
He announced that the same amount ₹2 lakh for the families of those who died and ₹50,000 for the injured would be given from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. President Droupadi Murmu similarly expressed condolences, stating that the news of the accident was extremely distressing and offering prayers for the speedy recovery of those undergoing treatment. Government officials have been instructed to coordinate relief measures and ensure that victims receive timely medical care and financial support.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Incidents like the Katihar highway tragedy are painful reminders of the human cost behind India’s persistent road safety crisis. While immediate relief measures and condolences are essential, they cannot replace the lives lost or the suffering endured by families whose loved ones never returned home.
Road accidents remain one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the country, often linked to factors such as speeding, driver fatigue, poorly maintained vehicles, inadequate road infrastructure, and gaps in enforcement of safety regulations. Strengthening road safety systems through stricter monitoring, improved highway design, regular driver training, and faster emergency response must remain a national priority.
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