GONDA, Aug 3: Eleven people, including nine members of the same family, died when an SUV plunged into the overflowing Saryu canal in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh today, police said.One girl is still missing.The incident occurred around 10 AM near the Itiyathok police station. The victims were on their way to offer water at the Prithvinath temple when the vehicle carrying 16 people lost control and veered off the road.According to eyewitnesses, the speeding vehicle slipped on the rain-soaked road and fell into the canal. The water level was high due to continuous rain, and the vehicle was completely submerged moments after falling.Tragically, all doors got locked due to the water pressure, trapping passengers inside. Local villagers jumped into the canal in an attempt to rescue those trapped, but could not open the vehicle. Eventually, they managed to pull the vehicle near the edge using ropes and break the window to rescue four passengers.Among the deceased are six women, two men and three children. One 10-year-old girl, Rachna, is still missing.An SDRF team is continuing the search operation for her. The survivors include a girl named Pinky, who recounted the horrifying moments, saying, “We were singing devotional songs when the vehicle suddenly slipped and fell into the canal. Everything went blank after that.”President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the incident and conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families via a post on X, stating, “The news of the tragic accident in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, is deeply saddening. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured.”Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief and announced financial assistance. As per the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Re 2 lakh each will be given to the next of kin of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 to the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the incident as “extremely heartbreaking” and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He also instructed district officials to ensure immediate and adequate treatment for the injured.Those who died in the accident belonged to the same extended family from Sihav village under Motiganj police station.Among the deceased were Beena (44), and her daughters Kajal (22) and Mahak alias Rinki (14); her brother-in-law Ramkaran (36), his wife Ansuya (34), son Shubh (7), and daughter Saumya (9); and her younger brother-in-law Ramroop’s wife Durgesh Nandini (35) and son Amit (14).In addition, Sanju (26) and Anju alias Gudia (20), relatives of Prahlad’s neighbor Ramlalan Verma, also died. Prahlad’s children Pinky and Satyam, neighbour Ramlalan, and the driver, Sitaraman, were injured.The horrifying visuals that emerged after the accident showed bodies lying on the roadside, with people attempting CPR to revive them. The entire village is in mourning over the incident. (UNI)
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