18 killed as speedy truck collides with bus in India’s Uttar Pradesh

According to Indian local media, the bus was traveling towards Haryana, an 800 miles journey to their home state of Bihar when it broke down in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh.

Initial police report revealed that the bus was “overloaded beyond its capacity”.

Yamuna Prasad, a superintendent of police in Barabanki, stated some of the passengers decided to sleep next to the bus, as the driver searched for a mechanic to fix the vehicle. Shortly afterwards, a speedy truck rammed into the bus and passengers sleeping on road, resulting in casualties and injuries.

The extremely wounded passengers which are said to be at least 30, have been admitted to hospitals in Barabanki.

"It's an unfortunate incident. The bus probably broke down because it had about 140 passengers when its capacity was just 65. We are assisting the families," said a local police official.

The official further stated that the bus was air-conditioned and was deprived the bus of any windows, forcing the workers to sleep on the road.

The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in a tweet and announced a 200,000 rupees ($2,686) compensation for the families of those who died in the tragic accident, and 50,000 rupees for the injured.

People from Bihar often go to states that are better off like Haryana and Delhi in search of jobs. Trains and buses are a cheap mode of transport and an affordable option for the workers to go home for a break.