4 labourers killed, 5 injured as bus rams into roadside shanties in South Goa

GOA: Four labourers were killed and five others sustained injuries when a private bus crashed into two roadside shanties at an industrial estate in South Goa district late Saturday night.
The accident occurred around 11.30 pm at the Verna Industrial Estate, where the labourers, who were engaged in road construction work, were sleeping in the shanties.
According to a labourer, the bus driver, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, threatened the other labourers with dire consequences if they reported the incident to anyone. The police have arrested the bus driver.
The bus, which was carrying staff of a private company, collided with two shanties housing the sleeping labourers. "Four labourers died on the spot while five were critically injured and admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital," a police official stated. The labourers were working for a contractor.
Rupender Kumar Mathur, whose uncle Ramesh Mathur and brother Anil Mathur were among the deceased, recounted the incident to reporters. He claimed that the bus rammed into their shanties and that the driver threatened to kill them if they complained.
Rupender also alleged that medical assistance arrived late, causing a delay in transporting the victims to the District Hospital in Margao.
He mentioned that he and three others were fortunate to have escaped the tragedy as they were outside the shanties attending mobile phone calls at the time of the accident.