Gonda: In a tragic road accident under the Itiathok police station limits in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda, a vehicle carrying 15 passengers plunged into a canal on Sunday (August 3). Among the passengers were devotees en route to Prithvinath Temple to offer prayers.
Eleven people lost their lives in the incident, while the condition of the others remains critical. The vehicle, reportedly a Bolero, went out of control before falling into the canal, leading to the fatalities.
Station House Officer (SHO) of Itiathok police station, Krishn Gopal Rai, reported that the victims were travelling from Sihagaon village to offer holy water at the Prithvinath Temple in Khargupur when the accident took place near Belwa Bahuta.
The SUV involved was carrying a total of 15 people, including the driver. With assistance from villagers and rescue teams, 11 bodies were recovered from the submerged vehicle. Four other passengers were rescued in critical condition and immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
The recovered bodies have been sent for postmortem examinations, and authorities have launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and has taken immediate cognisance of the accident. He has directed officials to rush to the site to expedite rescue and relief operations. Further, he has ordered that proper medical treatment be provided to the injured as per reports from the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
The local administration, along with emergency teams, continues to work at the scene, aiming to manage the tragic aftermath and assist the victims’ families.
CM Yogi Adityanath condoled the loss of lives in the accident and announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased.
“The loss of life in the unfortunate accident in the district of Gonda is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the grief-stricken families. Instructions have been given to provide financial assistance of Rs 5-5 lakh to the kin of those who lost their lives in this accident, and to the district administration officials to immediately take the injured to the hospital for their proper treatment. I pray to Lord Shri Ram that the departed souls attain salvation, the bereaved families find the strength to bear this immense sorrow, and the injured recover swiftly. Om Shanti!,” CM Yogi posted on X.
PM Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. 11 people died and 4 were injured in the accident.
