Unnao (UP), July 10 (UNI) Eighteen people were killed, and 19 others were injured when a double decker bus collided with a tanker in Behta Mujawar area of Unnao district here in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, a senior official said here.
District Magistrate Gurang Rathi said that the incident took place around 5.15 am on Agra-Lucknow expressway where a private bus collided with the milk tanker. "18 people were killed and 19 others were injured in the incident," he said.
He said that prima facie speed of the bus is stated to be the cause of the accident. "However, the cause of the accident will be probed," he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have condoled the incident.
The PM has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Unnao. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.
The PM wrote on X, "The road accident in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh is extremely painful. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this. May God give them strength in this difficult time. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way."
CM Yogi Adityanath has also expressed grief over the accident. "The loss of life in a road accident in Unnao district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. My condolences are with the bereaved families," he posted on X.
He said that the district administration officials have been directed to reach the spot and expedite the relief work. "I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant a place to the departed souls in his lotus feet and speed up the recovery of the injured," he said.
Police sources said that the incident took place when the Delhi-bound bus from Bihar double decker bus hit the milk tanker at kilometre number 247 on Agra-Lucknow expressway killing 18 people, including the drivers of the tanker and bus, on the spot.
The police have issued helpline numbers in this regard. Relatives of bus passengers can contact on phone numbers 0515-2970767, 9651432703, 9454417447, 8887713617 and 8081211289.
Police sources said that two of the deceased have been identified as Deepak Kumar (27) and Shiv Dayal (28), both residents of Sheohar in Bihar.
Circle Officer (CO) Bangarmai Arvind Kumar said that the incident took place near Jogikot village where the bus going to Delhi from Siwan in a bid to overtake collided with the milk tanker.
He said both the vehicles overturned after collision. "The police and UPEIDA team reached the spot after getting the information and launched a rescue and relief work. The passengers trapped in the bus were taken out and sent to the community health centre from where they were referred to the district hospital," he said.
According to an injured person, around 60 passengers were travelling in the bus at the time of the incident. District Magistrate Gaurang Rathi and Superintendent of Police (SP) Siddharth Shankar Meena have sent Gul Mohammad, Rajdev, Santish, Shamim and Rajnish, having serious injuries, to trauma centre in Lucknow. One patient Lal Bau has been sent to trauma centre in Kanpur.
The DM said that 20 passengers, who sustained minor injuries, have been sent to Delhi after first aid.
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