Dhar: At least 12 people, including two children, were killed and 23 others injured after a pickup truck carrying labourers overturned following a collision with an SUV on the Indore–Ahmedabad National Highway in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday night.
The accident occurred around 8:30 pm near a petrol pump in Chikaliya Phata in Dhar district.
Preliminary reports indicate that about 35 labourers were travelling in the pickup truck, which was returning from work in an onion field. “The pickup truck was at high speed and the driver lost control. The vehicle overturned three or four times, veered to the opposite side of the road, and collided with a Scorpio,” Dhar SP Mayank Awasthi was quoted as saying.
Twelve people died on the spot, while 10 critically injured victims were shifted to MY Hospital in Indore for advanced treatment. Eleven others are being treated at the district hospital in Dhar.
Indore Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Hasani said that hospitals have been placed on alert, with instructions issued to ensure the best possible treatment for those brought in from Dhar. “Hospitals have been placed on high alert. The medical teams are instructed to provide the best possible care to all injured brought from the accident site,” he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy. “Deeply pained to hear about the loss of lives in an accident in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he posted on X.
