A catastrophic head-on collision between a mini-van and a speeding truck on the Patna-Nalanda border in Shahjahanpur claimed eight lives, including seven women, and left four others seriously injured early Saturday morning, police reported. The accident, which occurred around 6 a.m. near a factory in the Shahjahanpur police station area, has left the local community reeling and sparked calls for stricter road safety measures.

The victims, residents of Malama village in Nalanda district, were returning from a ritual bath in the Ganga River at Fatuha when the truck, allegedly driven recklessly, smashed into their tempo. “The impact was so severe that the vehicle was mangled beyond recognition,” said SP (Rural) Vikram Singh, as quoted by The Indian Express. The injured were rushed to Patna’s Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, where they are receiving treatment, with some in critical condition. The truck driver fled the scene, prompting a police manhunt to apprehend him.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with local villagers alerting authorities and assisting in rescue efforts. “It was horrific; the pilgrimage turned into a tragedy,” a resident told Ommcom News. The Patna police are working to identify the deceased and have informed their families, while an FIR is being prepared against the absconding driver. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief, directing officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured.

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This incident follows a pattern of deadly road accidents in Bihar, with a November 2024 crash in Bihta killing three children. Posts on X reflect public outrage over poor road conditions and lax enforcement, urging accountability. The Shahjahanpur tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved road safety and stricter oversight of heavy vehicles in Bihar’s rural areas.

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