At least 13 people were killed and 30 others injured following a collision involving a bus, a truck, and a pickup van in Bihar’s Katihar district on Saturday (April 11, 2026) evening, a police officer said.

The accident took place at 6:30 p.m. on NH-31 in Kodha block of Katihar, Superintendent of Police Shikhar Choudhary told reporters.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased, and ₹50,000 to each injured.

While initial reports said seven people died in the accident, six of the injured succumbed during treatment.

A local police official said those travelling in the pickup van were coming from the neighbouring Purnea district.

He said that how the accident occurred is being investigated. It is suspected that the bus driver, who is among the injured people, lost control of the vehicle leading to the crash.

According to a statement issued by the district police, all the injured people have been taken to the nearest government hospital in Purnea.

Officials are trying to ascertain the identity of the deceased, the statement said.

Meanwhile, CM Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the deaths of people in the accident and announced an exgratia for the kin of the deceased.

“The Chief Minister... announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each to the immediate family members of the deceased from the CM’s relief fund. He also announced ₹50,000 each to those injured in the accident,” an official release said.

Mr. Kumar also directed officials to ensure better treatment for those who are injured,” it said.

CM Nitish Kumar announces ex gratia for victims’ families

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced ex gratia assistance for the victims’ families.

In a post on X, CM Nitish Kumar said, “The tragic loss of lives in the horrific road accident in the Kodha police station area of Katihar district is heartbreaking. Deep condolences to the bereaved families. The dependents of the deceased will be provided with ex-gratia assistance of ₹2-2 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, and the injured will receive ₹50-50 thousand each.”

President Murmu condoles loss of lives in Bihar road accident

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday (April 11, 2026) condoled the loss of lives in a multi-vehicle collision that occurred in Bihar and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured.

“The news of the deaths of people in a road accident in Katihar, Bihar, is extremely painful. I express my condolences to the bereaved families and pray that all the injured persons recover swiftly,” Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi.