At least five people were killed, and several others were injured when a bus ploughed into a crowd attending a cultural programme in Bihar’s West Champaran district, police said on Saturday (August 22, 2026).

The incident took place around 10:45 p.m. on Friday (August 21) along the Lauriya Marg in Parau Tola under the jurisdiction of Lauriya police station.

“While trying to avert a head-on collision with a truck, the bus ploughed into a crowd attending a cultural event on the roadside, killing five men and injuring several others,” Narkatiyaganj Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ajay Prakash Singh told PTI.

The incident led to a stampede-like situation at the event, he added. The deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination, he said.

“The bus and the truck have been seized, while their drivers fled the spot, taking advantage of the chaos,” he said, adding that a manhunt has been launched for them.