Mangaluru: A six-year-old girl was killed and four other students were injured after a roadside tree fell on a moving school bus in Karnataka's Dakshina
Kannada district on Wednesday, police said. The deceased has been identified as Chiranvi, a UKG student. The accident took place near Kalleti, close to Barimaru in Bantwal taluk, when a school bus belonging to Sriram Vidyakendra, Kalladka, was taking pre-primary students home after school. According to police, the tree suddenly collapsed onto the moving bus, trapping several children inside. Local residents rushed to the spot and helped rescue the students from the damaged vehicle. Four students suffered serious injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital with the help of local residents. Their condition is yet to be officially confirmed. Police from Bantwal Rural Police Station reached the spot and have launched an investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings suggest that the tree may have been uprooted due to continuous rainfall and strong winds that have battered the coastal district over the past few days. Authorities are gathering more details, including the identities of the injured children. Reacting to the incident, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said he had spoken to the Deputy Commissioner and directed the district administration to provide appropriate compensation to the bereaved family and ensure the best possible treatment for the injured children. "Deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident in Bantwal, where a tree fell on a school bus during rains, claiming the life of young Chiranvi and leaving a couple of other children injured," he said in a post on X. Parameshwara also said he had spoken to District In-charge Minister U.T. Khader and requested him to personally oversee the relief and support measures. "My heartfelt condolences to the grieving family. I pray that the injured children recovers swiftly and completely. In this hour of grief, the Government of Karnataka stands firmly with the affected families," he added. (With Inputs from PTI)
