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Probe ordered into MP bus
mishap; toll 22

The Divisional Commissioner of Jabalpur, M M Upadhaya has directed Additional Collector Madhukar Agneya to complete the probe within a fortnight, official sources said.

Inspector General of Police Sudarshan Kumar said 21 charred bodies, including that of 11 minors, were extricated from the bus with the help of fire brigade personnel.

One more person succumbed to burns at the Victoria Hospital in Jabalpur, he added.

A police official had said on Wednesday night that 30 bodies had been extricated.

Around 60-65 passengers were travelling in the bus, Kumar said, adding 12 were rescued.

He said the driver of the bus was missing and it was not immediately known if he was among those who died. However, the owner of the bus was among the injured and was admitted to hospital, he added.

He described it as a "pure accident" and said details of the relevant points, including the exact number of passengers, permit and licence of the driver, were being probed.

The kin of the deceased will be given Rs 10,000 each while the injured will get Rs 2,000 each as an ex-gratia payment, the sources said.

The authorities will also see if any assistance can be provided through the Shramik Accident Insurance Scheme, Villagers Group Insurance Scheme and the Pariwar Sahayata Insurance Schemes, they said.

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