Karnataka Transport Minister R. Ashok said preliminary reports have indicated that “negligence” by the bus driver was the reason for the mishap that claimed 30 lives near Challakeri in the district.
Ashok, who visited the accident site, told reporters that “it is suspected that the driver’s negligence led to the tragedy and further investigation is on“.
Meanwhile, North-Eastern Transport Corporation has announced compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh for each of the families of deceased. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has also announced Rs one lakh compensation.
Home Minister Dr V S Acharya, who also headed towards the accident spot, said an investigation has begun into the causes of the mishap, in which the driver and conductor have managed to escape.
He said there were two drivers and a conductor.
A search is on for them, he said, adding, that the drivers have been identified as Siddaswamy and Shetty and the conductor as Nandagowda.
