LAKHIMPUR KHERI (UP), May 18: Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur National Highway on Monday, police said.
The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the accident.
The prime minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased from the PM National Relief Fund and Rs 50,000 for the injured, while the Uttar Pradesh government announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of each victim.
Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, told PTI all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.
District Magistrate Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.
According to police, six of the deceased were residents of Bahraich district — Jaiveer Singh (25), Pawan Kumar (23), Sohan (21), Rajesh Goyal (45), Sahajram (35) and Pappu (18). All six were travelling in the ill-fated van when the accident occurred.
The remaining victims included Adnan Khan (19) of Lakhimpur Kheri, Julekha (55) and Kailash (40) from Lakhimpur Kheri district, and Gayatri Vaishya (44) from Sitapur district, police added.
President Murmu said the loss of lives was “extremely heartbreaking” and expressed condolences.
“The news of the loss of lives in the road accident that occurred in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray for the swift recovery of those who have been injured,” Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi.
Prime Minister Modi also condoled the loss of lives and announced ex-gratia assistance.
“Deeply pained to hear about a mishap in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” Modi said in a post on X.
Condoling the loss of lives, CM Adityanath said in a post on X, “The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in the Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families. I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at his divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured.”
Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak also condoled the tragedy. Maurya said, “The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families.” (PTI)
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