At least 18 people lost their lives and 19 were injured in a tragic accident involving a speeding double-decker bus and a milk tanker on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao on the morning of July 10. The bus, which was en route from Bihar’s Motihari to Delhi, collided with the milk tanker from behind, leading to severe damage that caused passengers to be ejected from the vehicle.
Unnao District Magistrate Gaurang Rathi reported that preliminary investigations point to overspeeding as a possible cause, but an in-depth investigation is still underway. Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene to provide immediate assistance. Victims were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Heart-wrenching visuals from the accident site depicted bodies lying on the ground amidst scattered debris, twisted metal, and shattered glass.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his deep condolences via the social media platform X, labeling the incident as extremely sad and heart-wrenching. He assured that local officials have been directed to expedite the relief efforts and prayed for the souls of the deceased. “I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed souls in His feet and provide speedy recovery to the injured,” he stated.
Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh also acknowledged the severity of the accident and extended his sympathies to the families of those who perished.
The collision underscores ongoing concerns over road safety and speeding on India’s highways, making this tragic event a grim reminder of the need for stringent measures to prevent such occurrences.