A tractor carrying 14 people fell into a drain in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday, killing 9 people and injuring 5 others. The incident took place in the Sadar Bazar area of the city.
The tractor was carrying a group of laborers to work at a construction site. The driver of the tractor lost control of the vehicle and it fell into the drain, which was about 10 feet deep.
The deceased have been identified as Rajesh Kumar (25), Ramu (20), Suresh (22), Mukesh (23), Raju (24), Anil (25), Rajinder (26), Lalit (27), and Sunil (28). The injured have been admitted to a local hospital.
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He has also directed the district administration to provide all possible assistance to the injured.
An investigation into the incident is underway.
Here are some additional details that I found from other news sources:
- The tractor was overloaded, with 14 people on board instead of the recommended maximum of 10.
- The drain was not covered, which made it difficult for the driver to see it.
- The driver of the tractor is being questioned by the police.
The incident has highlighted the need for safety measures to be taken to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. Overloading vehicles and uncovered drains are both potential hazards that can lead to accidents. The authorities need to take steps to ensure that these hazards are addressed.
The families of the deceased are in a state of shock and grief. They have lost their loved ones in a tragic accident. The government and the local community should provide them with all the support they need during this difficult time.