A devastating road accident claimed the lives of 18 Kanwariyas and left many others critically injured early Tuesday morning near Jamuniya forest area in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district.

The accident occurred around 4:30 am under the Mohanpur police station limits when a bus carrying Kanwar pilgrims collided head-on with a truck loaded with gas cylinders. The bus, a 32-seater, was transporting devotees participating in the Shravan Kanwar Yatra.

Police and rescue teams rushed to the spot immediately. Several passengers sustained serious injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals and primary health centres for urgent medical care.

Inspector General of Dumka Zone, Shailendra Kumar Sinha, confirmed the death toll and warned that the number may increase as some of the injured remain in critical condition. Emergency response teams were deployed, and the district administration is overseeing the ongoing relief and medical operations.

Godda MP Nishikant Dubey expressed his condolences, stating, “Eighteen devotees lost their lives in a tragic road accident during the Kanwar Yatra. May Baba Baidyanath give their families the strength to bear this grief.”