Kota, Rajasthan – November 1, 2025: A tragic road accident in Rajasthan’s Kota district on Saturday morning claimed the lives of two schoolchildren and left ten others injured when a van carrying students collided with a Bolero vehicle and overturned near Gota Road. The incident, which occurred in the Itawah police station area, has once again raised serious questions about the safety standards of school transport in the region.

According to the police, the van was ferrying 12 students to school when one of its tires suddenly burst, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle swerved into the path of an oncoming Bolero, leading to a violent collision that caused the van to overturn on the roadside. Locals nearby rushed to the scene and immediately began rescue operations, pulling the trapped children from the damaged vehicle and taking them to a nearby hospital.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Subham Joshi said the accident took place at around 8:00 a.m. “The van carrying 12 students was heading towards the school when, near Gota Road, one of its tires burst. It collided with a Bolero and overturned. Two children lost their lives on the spot, and several others sustained serious injuries,” Joshi confirmed. The deceased were identified as Tanu Nagar (14) and Prisal Arya (9). Both were students at a local private school.

Emergency medical teams arrived shortly after the accident and transported the injured children to the nearest hospital. Six of the victims, who were in critical condition, were later referred to larger medical facilities in Kota city for advanced treatment. Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Kota MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Rajeev Datta, who visited the site, said that arrangements were being made to transfer severely injured children to hospitals in Jaipur or Delhi if needed. “We have ensured that the children receive the best possible care. The situation is being closely monitored,” Datta said.

Datta also revealed preliminary findings suggesting negligence in the operation of the school van. “Prima facie, it appears that the van was overcrowded. It had a seating capacity for only seven students, but was carrying 12 at the time of the accident,” he stated. He further said that a meeting had been convened with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and district administration officials to review compliance with safety and permit regulations of all school vehicles in the district. “The RTO and district authorities have been directed to conduct a thorough inspection of all government and private school buses and vans operating in Kota. Any violations will invite strict penalties,” Datta added.

The condition of several children remains serious. Four of the injured students were reported to be in critical condition as of Saturday evening. Local authorities have mobilized additional ambulances and medical personnel to assist in their treatment. Parents and community members gathered outside hospitals, anxiously awaiting updates on the condition of the young patients.

Rajasthan’s Education Minister Madan Dilawar and Kota Collector Peeyush Samaris also visited the accident site and later met with the injured children at the hospital. Speaking to reporters, Dilawar expressed deep grief over the tragedy and assured that the government would take stringent action against those found responsible. “A detailed probe has been ordered. We will hold accountable anyone whose negligence contributed to this incident—be it the school management, the vehicle owner, or transport officials. Children’s safety cannot be compromised,” the minister said.

The collector, Peeyush Samaris, confirmed that the district administration had begun collecting evidence and statements from witnesses and officials. “We are verifying whether the vehicle had the required permits, fitness certificate, and valid insurance. We will also examine if the driver was adequately trained and licensed to operate a school vehicle,” he noted. Initial reports suggest that the van was privately owned and may not have met all regulatory conditions required for school transport operations.

The collision has sparked anger and sorrow among residents of the Itawah region. Many parents gathered near the accident site, demanding that authorities enforce stricter regulations on school transportation. “Every few months, we hear of such accidents. How long will our children’s lives remain at risk because of poor regulation and negligence?” said Ramesh Meena, a local resident. Another parent added that many schools in rural and semi-urban parts of Kota rely on old, poorly maintained vans without seat belts or safety features. “These vehicles are often overcrowded and driven recklessly to make extra money. This was an accident waiting to happen,” he said.

Road safety experts have long warned that such tragedies are preventable if strict guidelines are enforced. Under the Supreme Court’s School Bus Safety Guidelines (2017), all vehicles carrying schoolchildren must be yellow, fitted with speed governors, equipped with first-aid kits and fire extinguishers, and display the name of the school clearly. They must also have an attendant on board and seat belts for all passengers. However, enforcement remains inconsistent in several districts, particularly in smaller towns where private operators fill the transport gap for low-fee schools.

As news of the accident spread, political leaders and civil society groups expressed condolences. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lok Sabha Speaker Rajeev Datta wrote: “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of young lives in the school van accident in Kota. Prayers for the bereaved families and speedy recovery for the injured. I have directed officials to ensure that no lapses go unpunished.” Education minister Madan Dilawar echoed similar sentiments, saying the government would “leave no stone unturned” to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

The Kota district administration has set up a helpline for families of the victims and injured children. Meanwhile, the police have registered a case and begun investigating the driver and the owner of the van. According to preliminary reports, the driver sustained minor injuries and is under medical observation. Once stable, he will be questioned to determine whether he was speeding or had noticed any mechanical issue before the tire burst.

This incident adds to a growing list of school transport accidents across India, where overcrowded and poorly maintained vehicles continue to endanger young passengers. In Rajasthan alone, at least five similar accidents have been reported in the past year, prompting repeated calls for stricter enforcement of safety norms. For many parents in Kota, Saturday’s tragedy serves as a painful reminder of those warnings gone unheeded.

As of late Saturday night, the condition of four of the ten injured children remained critical. The families of the deceased—Tanu Nagar and Prisal Arya—were being assisted by the district administration for post-mortem formalities and compensation. The state government announced ex gratia relief for the victims’ families, though official details are expected after the preliminary probe concludes.

What began as a routine school morning in Kota ended in heartbreak and outrage. The investigation now underway will seek to determine whether this was merely an unfortunate accident—or another case of preventable negligence that cost two young lives.