Mirzapur: A multi-vehicle pile-up, suspected to have been caused by a truck’s brake failure, trapped and crushed a passenger car between two heavy vehicles before sparking a fiery chain reaction in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district.
The tragedy claimed 11 lives, among them children, police said on Thursday.
Collision Details
The pile-up happened around 8.30 pm on Wednesday on the downhill route from Dramandganj valley to Lasoda area, Mirzapur SP Aparna Rajat Kaushik told the media.
Responding swiftly, police and fire services, aided by local volunteers, initiated rescue efforts at the scene.
Reports indicated initial evidence pointed to a downhill truck’s brake failure as the trigger. It plowed into the truck in front, sandwiching a car caught in between, leading to a subsequent collision where another vehicle went up in flames. “A truck, due to brake failure, collided with another truck. An Alto car got stuck between the two trucks, and another Bolero car collided with it and caught fire,” Kaushik said.
Rescue teams and local residents worked urgently to extract survivors from the wreckage.
“So far, 11 deaths have been reported, and efforts are underway to establish the identities of all the victims,” the SP noted.
District Magistrate Pawan Gangwar said that seven of those dead hailed from Mirzapur, three from Madhya Pradesh, and one from adjacent Sonbhadra. Bodies were transferred to the mortuary and the victims’ families have been informed, Gangwar confirmed, assuring no disruptions to public order.
Police have begun an investigation to determine the exact reasons behind the multi-vehicle pile-up, with more information pending.
President, PM Express Grief, Announce Aid
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his grief via an X post, offering solace to grieving kin and pledging financial support. “Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the mishap in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the quick recovery of the injured,” he posted.
“An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the tragic mishap. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” he added.
President Droupadi Murmu also expressed her grief over the loss of lives in the incident.
In a post on X in Hindi, she stated: “I am deeply saddened to learn about the loss of lives in the road accident in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. I express my profound condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray for the swift recovery of those injured.”
