Patna: Eight persons, including seven children, were killed and seven others were seriously injured after a speeding truck lost control and rammed into a religious procession on a National highway at Nayagoan in Bihar’s Vaishali district on Sunday night.
Vaishali Superintendent of Police (SP) Manish Kumar said, “A total of eight people, including seven children, were killed in the accident, while seven other critically injured people are undergoing treatment at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) and PMCH,” as reported by news agency PTI.
“The driver was rescued from the mangled vehicle and arrested for negligent and rash driving. He is undergoing treatment in PMCH and his condition is stable,” he said.
The accident happened when the dead and injured were in a procession that was taken out as part of a custom associated with marriage. It took place in Desri area, around 30 km from state capital Patna, around 9 pm.
The deceased were identified as Varsha (8), Suruchi (12), Anuskha (8), Shivani (8), Khushi (10), Chandan Kumar (20), Komal Kumari (10) and Satish Kumar (17).
Condolences poured in over the accident
President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident.
The news of several casualties including children in a road accident in Vaishali, Bihar is extremely painful. I express my deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this accident and wish speedy recovery to the injured, President Murmu tweeted in Hindi.
वैशाली, बिहार में हुई सड़क दुर्घटना में बच्चों समेत कई लोगों के हताहत होने की ख़बर अत्यंत पीड़ादायक है। मैं इस हादसे में अपने प्रियजनों को खोने वाले परिवारों के प्रति गहन शोक-संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करती हूं तथा घायल हुए लोगों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करती हूं।
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 20, 2022
“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased,” Modi said in a tweet. “The injured would be given Rs 50,000.”
The accident in Vaishali, Bihar is saddening. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. 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: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 20, 2022
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief about the accident and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those killed in the mishap.
वैशाली के देसरी थाना क्षेत्र में तेज रफ्तार ट्रक द्वारा बच्चों सहित कई लोगों को कुचलने की घटना से मर्माहत हूं। मृतकों के परिजनों के प्रति गहरी संवेदना है तथा उन्हें 5-5 लाख रू० अनुग्रह अनुदान दिया जाएगा। घायलों के समुचित इलाज का निर्देश दिया। उनके शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना है।
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) November 20, 2022