The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Damoh, Shrut Kirti Somvanshi, described the accident as horrific and confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.
"An accident occurred at Samanna in Damoh district where a truck collided with an autorickshaw carrying 10 people, and seven people among them died and three others sustained injuries. After giving primary treatment, the injured have been referred to Jabalpur Medical College for further treatment," Somvanshi told ANI.
"As of now, we are checking the collision marks of the truck and auto at the incident spot. The statements of injured people will be recorded once they become conscious, and then we will be able to identify the mistakes and reasons for the accident. Nonetheless, the truck driver is in our custody, and we are investigating the possibility of him being in an inebriated state," SP also said.
District Collector Shudhir Kumar Kochar described the incident, stating that a speeding truck collided head-on with an autorickshaw, resulting in seven deaths at the scene and leaving three others seriously injured. The injured were transported to the hospital and, after initial treatment, were referred to Jabalpur for further care.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav Announces Compensation
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of those who died in the accident and said that the state government will take a strict action against those found negligent.
"The mind is saddened by the tragic news of the death of many precious lives in a collision between a truck and an auto on the Damoh-Katni State Highway under Damoh district. Instructions have been given to take strict action against those who were negligent in this horrific road accident," CM Mohan Yadav said in a post on X.
"I pray to Almighty God to give a place to the departed souls in his feet and give strength to the family members to bear this lightning strike. The state government has given instructions to provide financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. We all are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief," he added.