A journey to a place of worship ended in tragedy in Rajasthan on Saturday morning, October 17, 2026, when a minibus carrying pilgrims overturned and fell into a ditch along the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Kota. Eight people were killed and several others injured.
The passengers were travelling from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh to Khatu Shyam in Rajasthan. Their highway journey turned into an emergency after the vehicle went off the road. Five of those who died were women, according to an initial report. The victims were identified as Aruna, Vaishnavi, Trisha, Krishna, Anita, Om, Suryavanshi and Raju.
Kota expressway crash: What happened?
Preliminary accounts suggest the driver may have dozed off at the wheel. The minibus reportedly broke through a roadside barrier before falling into a ditch. Investigators have not confirmed whether fatigue caused the crash, and the circumstances remain under investigation.
Police and rescue personnel reached the spot after being alerted. Emergency workers helped remove passengers from the damaged vehicle and arranged transport for those needing medical attention. Officials reportedly received information about the accident around 8 am.
Rajasthan bus accident: Rescue and hospital treatment
Injured passengers were taken to MBS Hospital and New Medical College Hospital in Kota. District Collector Peeyush Samariya and Inspector General Harendra Mahawar visited MBS Hospital to assess the situation.
An initial account said seven passengers were brought dead, while later reports placed the death toll at eight. Reports have differed on the number of people injured: one put the figure at 17, while other outlets reported fewer. An updated figure from district authorities is still needed.
For families awaiting news, the immediate concerns are treatment, identification and understanding how the vehicle left the expressway. Police are examining the crash and the preliminary claim about driver fatigue. The tragedy also raises questions about rest breaks and safety during long-distance highway journeys. A final official finding on the cause has not yet been released.
