VARANASI/LUCKNOW: Ten pilgrims returning home after a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh died in two separate road accidents in Uttar Pradesh on Friday. Eight of the victims fell from the upper deck of a double-decker vehicle and were crushed under the wheels of a truck, reports Rajeev Dikshit & Pathikrit Chakraborty. Friday’s fatalities bring the total number of deaths since the start of the Kumbh Mela to 38.
The first accident occurred in Ghazipur district when the eight victims, returning from Prayagraj to Gorakhpur in a converted pickup van, were crushed by a truck. Eight others were injured in the incident. The second tragedy took place early Friday morning near Gurunanak Dhaba in Sitapur, where two pilgrims were killed and four others critically injured after their car collided with a stationary truck.
The Sitapur accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. near Barai Jalalpur. Sitapur Sadar SHO Pradeep Singh reported that a speeding car rammed into the truck, causing extensive damage to the vehicle. The deceased were identified as Pankaj Mishra (35) from Mankapur, Maholi, and Shyam Bihari (36) from Niyazpur, Maholi.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences on social media and directed district officials to provide the best possible treatment for the injured.
