At least 22 people were killed in Uttar Pradesh's Kasganj after a tractor-trolley they were travelling in fell into a pond. Among the deceased were seven children and eight women. All the people on the tractor-trolly were heading towards Kadarganj to take a holy dip in the river Ganga when the accident took place.
As per ABP News sources, the tractor-trolley, carrying 40 pilgrims plunged into the pond while it was trying to prevent a collision with another unidentified vehicle that came in front of it.
Several pilgrims were seriously injured of which four children are said to be in a critical condition, the sources added.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of Rupees 2 lakh for the kin of deceased and financial assistance of Rupees 50,000 for people who have been seriously injured. He also instructed the district administration to provide free medical assistance to the wounded.
"The loss of lives in a road accident in Kasganj district is extremely heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved family," said Adityanath in a post on X.
"District administration officials have been instructed to provide proper free treatment to all the injured," he said, adding, "It is a prayer to Lord Shri Ram to grant peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured."
Speaking about the accident, Kasganj Superintendent of Police Aparna Rajat Kaushik said that a police team was immediately sent on the spot and the injured were rescued with the help of the locals and sent to hospital for treatment.
"15 people have reportedly died. The search operation is going on to look for missing persons (if any). The matter is being investigated," she told ANI.