Five Killed, Several Injured As Bus Rams Into Crowd At Bihar Cultural Event

August 22, 2026

West Champaran (Bihar): At least five people were killed and several others injured after a passenger bus rammed into a crowd attending a cultural programme in Bihar’s West Champaran district, police said on Saturday.

The accident took place late Friday night along the Lauriya-Bettiah road, when the bus, travelling from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh towards Bettiah, lost control while trying to avoid a collision with a truck and ploughed into people gathered by the roadside.

Bus Hits Crowd During Cultural Programme

According to police, a cultural programme was underway near Bankatwa/Parau Tola in the Lauriya area when the incident occurred at around 10.45 p.m.

Narkatiaganj Sub-Divisional Police Officer Jayprakash Singh said the bus and a truck were approaching from opposite directions when both vehicles came close to each other. While attempting to avoid a collision, the bus lost control and entered the crowd watching the programme.

The incident triggered panic at the spot as people rushed to help those who had been hit.

Five Killed, Injured Shifted To Hospitals

Five men were killed in the accident. Their identities have been reported as Bahadur Mahto, Sanjay Kumar, Bhola Dubey, Devender Dubey and Jhangur (Chhangur) Ram.

Several other people sustained injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Some reports said some of the injured were in critical condition.

Bus Driver Flees After Accident

Reports said the bus driver fled the scene after the accident. Police have seized the vehicle and begun an investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash.

The cultural programme was reportedly being held as part of a Chhathihar ceremony, a post-birth celebration, with people gathered along the roadside to watch an orchestra performance.

Police are investigating the exact sequence of events and the circumstances in which the bus lost control.