11 killed, 4 injured as vehicle plunges into canal in UP’s Gonda
Moorganj, Aug 3: Eleven people, including several children, lost their lives and four others were injured when a four-wheeler carrying 15 passengers veered off the road and fell into the Saryu canal on Sunday morning, police said.
The heartbreaking incident occurred near Moorganj police station on the Seehgaon–Kharagoopur road while the victims were en route to offer prayers at the Pirthvinath Temple. According to officials, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to skid off the road and plunge into the canal.
Among the deceased were several members of the same family. The victims have been identified as Bina (35), Kajal (22), Mahak (12), Durgesh, Nandini, Ankit, Shubh, Sanju Verma, Anju, Anusuya, and Saumiya. The identities of the four injured are yet to be released, but officials confirmed they were receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
Locals who witnessed the accident raised an immediate alarm. A swift rescue operation was launched by the police with the help of local residents, and the vehicle was pulled from the water. Unfortunately, most of the occupants were declared dead at the scene or upon arrival at the hospital.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He also directed the district administration to ensure prompt medical care for the injured and to provide all possible support to the affected families.
District officials are investigating the cause of the accident and evaluating road safety conditions in the area. Preliminary reports suggest overloading and lack of safety barriers along the roadside could have contributed to the tragedy.
