Tragedy struck in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district on Sunday when an SUV carrying 15 passengers plunged into the Saryu canal near Belwa Bahuta, killing 11 people, including six women and three children, and leaving four others critically injured.
According to Station House Officer Krishn Gopal Rai of Itiathok police station, the victims were travelling from Sihagaon village to offer holy water at the Prithvinath Temple in Khargupur when the accident occurred. The road, slippery due to morning rains, is believed to have caused the driver to lose control.
Eyewitness Rahul Verma said the vehicle skidded while the driver applied brakes, toppling into the canal. Locals, along with rescue teams, retrieved the submerged SUV using ropes. All bodies have been sent for postmortem, and an investigation is underway.
Superintendent of Police Vineet Jaiswal confirmed the victims’ identities, including Beena (35), Kajal (22), Mehak (12), Durgesh, Nandini, Ankit, Shubh, Sanju Verma, Anju, Anasuya, and Saumya. Four survivors, including the driver, are undergoing treatment.
A teenage survivor recalled that at the time of the accident, the women and girls were singing devotional hymns (bhajans).
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the families of each deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed condolences and declared Rs 2 lakh compensation from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each victim and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
