By – Prakarsh Kastwar
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh – A devastating road accident occurred in the early hours of Friday near Prayagraj, claiming the lives of ten pilgrims and leaving nineteen others injured. The tragic incident took place on the Mirzapur-Prayagraj highway when a Bolero SUV carrying devotees collided head-on with a bus, leading to a catastrophic loss of life.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The accident occurred around 2 AM in the Meja police station area of Prayagraj. According to initial reports, a Bolero SUV carrying devotees from Korba district in Chhattisgarh was en route to the Mahakumbh for a holy dip. As the vehicle approached Manu Ka Pura village, the driver reportedly lost control, and the Bolero crashed into an oncoming bus carrying another group of pilgrims returning from the Mahakumbh.
All ten passengers in the Bolero, including the driver, succumbed to their injuries on the spot. The victims were trapped inside the mangled remains of the vehicle. Emergency services, including police and local authorities, rushed to the scene and used JCB machines to extract the bodies from the wreckage.
Victims Identified
Authorities have identified the deceased as:
- Ishwari Prasad Jaiswal
- Santosh Soni
- Bhagirathi Jaiswal
- Somnath
- Ajay Banjare
- Saurabh Kumar Soni
- Ganga Das Verma
- Shiva Rajput
- Deepak Verma
- Raju Sahu
All the deceased hailed from Korba, Chhattisgarh, and were traveling to the Mahakumbh festival. Their identities were confirmed using Aadhaar cards and mobile phones recovered from the wreckage. Police have informed their families, who are now on their way to Prayagraj to claim the bodies.
19 Injured Devotees Under Treatment
The bus, which was carrying devotees from Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh, was also severely impacted by the collision. Nineteen passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to the Community Health Center (CHC) in Ramnagar for medical treatment. Many of the injured were asleep at the time of the accident and woke up to the horrifying crash.
Cause of the Accident: Driver’s Drowsiness Suspected
Preliminary investigations by the police suggest that the accident was caused by the Bolero driver dozing off at the wheel. The vehicle, traveling at high speed, veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the bus.
One of the survivors from the bus, Rodmal, recounted the moment of impact: “Most of the passengers were asleep when suddenly, a loud crash woke us up. I was in the front cabin and saw the Bolero coming at high speed. It collided directly with our bus.
Official Statements and Response
District Magistrate of Prayagraj confirmed the severity of the accident and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. “It is an unfortunate incident. The authorities are ensuring that the injured receive the best possible medical care. The deceased have been sent for post-mortem examinations,” he said.
Police officials have launched a thorough investigation into the accident and are taking measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Officials have urged drivers, particularly those traveling long distances, to ensure proper rest before journeys to avoid accidents caused by drowsiness.
Aftermath and Mourning
The tragic incident has left the families of the deceased in deep shock. Local authorities and social workers are assisting the bereaved families with necessary arrangements for transportation and last rites.
This accident highlights the dangers of long-distance travel fatigue and the importance of road safety precautions. As the Mahakumbh festival continues to draw thousands of pilgrims, authorities are expected to increase vigilance on highways to prevent such tragedies.
Stay tuned to Viral Planet News for more updates on this developing story.