TEACHERS OBJECT TO STRICT RULES ON ATTENDANCE

The teachers were on their way for a senior pay grade training session in Ratnagiri

- Niraj Pandit

MUMBAI: A mini-bus carrying school teachers from Chiplun to Ratnagiri for an official training programme was struck by a CNG tanker early on Sunday morning and plunged into a 20-foot gorge near Nivali village on the busy Mumbai-Goa highway. At least 26 teachers were injured, with many suffering serious wounds.

The accident has sparked widespread anger in the education community and raised questions about the rigid training policies that force teachers to travel long distances.

The accident occurred around 8am when the vehicle was nearing the village. A speeding CNG tanker rammed into it from behind, causing the driver to lose control. The bus veered off the road and fell into a deep ravine.

Soon after the crash, panic gripped the area as gas began leaking from the overturned tanker. A nearby cattle shed caught fire, and two animals were injured. A parked rickshaw was reduced to ashes, and flames also damaged the roof of a nearby house. The residents escaped the blaze after hearing the loud explosion.

Local villagers, led by teacher Santosh Ravana, rushed to the site to help the injured. Emergency services, including police, fire brigade, and ambulances, responded promptly and transported the injured to Ratnagiri Civil Hospital. The hospital referred two of the patients to a multispecialty hospital due to their severe injuries.