Deadly road mishap in India’s Uttar Pradesh claims 11 lives

In the Bilgram area of Hardoi district, Uttar Pradesh, India, a devastating road accident resulted in the deaths of 11 people.

“Eleven people, including six women and three children, died, and four others were injured after a lorry crashed into an auto-rickshaw,” the statement by local authorities reads, per Caliber.Az.

A senior police official explained that the accident occurred when the truck and the auto-rickshaw swerved off course in an attempt to avoid a collision with a motorbike.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the Hardoi district administration to immediately provide compensation to the victims and the relatives of the deceased.

This tragedy comes shortly after another catastrophic incident on November 2, when a bus fell into a gorge in Uttarakhand, northern India, leading to at least 36 deaths and 27 injuries. Officials reported that 44 people were on board when the bus driver lost control, sending the vehicle plunging into a 50-meter-deep ravine in Marchula, Almora district. The state government has initiated an inquiry into the crash.

Buses are a primary mode of transport in the Himalayan state, but safety violations and overcrowding are common issues. Several passengers perished instantly in the Uttarakhand accident, while those injured were rushed to nearby hospitals. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,378) for each bereaved family and 50,000 rupees for those injured. Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also promised financial assistance for the victims and their families.

Buses and auto-rickshaws serve as vital transportation links in India, especially between smaller towns and districts. However, operators frequently disregard safety regulations, leading to overcrowding and hazardous travel conditions. India has the highest number of road fatalities in the world, with about 160,000 deaths annually, primarily caused by speeding and careless driving.

By Tamilla Hasanova