Bulandshahr, 25 August

Eight people were killed and 43 injured when a truck rammed into a tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district in the early hours of Monday, police said.

Two of the deceased were minors, while 12 of those injured and hospitalised are below the age of 18.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled the demise of the pilgrims and directed officials to ensure the best treatment for those injured. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of those dead and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.

The accident took place around 2.10 am on the Bulandshahr-Aligarh border near the Arnia bypass, when the canter truck hit the tractor-trolley from behind, causing it to overturn, Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Dinesh Kumar Singh said.

"The tractor-trolley was carrying 61 people, who were travelling from the Rafatpur village in the Kasganj district to Jaharpeer in Rajasthan for a pilgrimage," he said.

The police officer said the victims were rushed to hospitals. "Eight people died, while 43 of them are undergoing treatment. Three of the injured are on ventilator support," Singh added.

Police said 10 passengers escaped with minor injuries.

The victims were taken to multiple hospitals for treatment -- 10 to Aligarh Medical College, 10 to Bulandshahr district hospital and 23 to Kailash Hospital in Khurja. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem, police said.

The deceased have been identified as tractor driver EU Babu, 40, Rambeti, 65, Chandni, 12, Ghaniram, 40, Mokshi, 40, Shivansh, 6, Yogesh, 50 and Vinod, 45, all residents of Kasganj district, according to the police.

District Magistrate Shruti, along with SSP Singh and other senior officials, visited the spot amid drizzle and later interacted with the injured patients in a hospital.

According to a post on X by the chief minister's office, Adityanath has expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased. "The Chief Minister has directed the district administration officials to immediately transport the injured to the hospital and ensure their proper treatment. Additionally, he has wished for the speedy recovery of the injured," it added.

Police said the erring truck, which is registered in Haryana, has been impounded, and further legal proceedings have been initiated.