A devastating accident claimed the lives of 11 people, including six women, two men, and three children, when a Bolero SUV carrying 15 passengers veered off the road and plunged into the Saryu canal in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district on Sunday morning. The tragic incident occurred near Belwa Bahuta under the Itiathok police station jurisdiction, on the Seehgaon-Kharagoopur road, as the group was traveling from Sihagaon village to offer holy water at the Prithvinath Temple in Khargupur.

According to Station House Officer (SHO) Krishn Gopal Rai, the SUV, driven by Prahlad Gupta, lost control near a bridge around 9:30 AM, causing it to plummet into the canal. Local residents quickly alerted the police, and rescue teams, including divers and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), were deployed to the scene. Despite their efforts, 11 passengers were found deceased inside the submerged vehicle. The victims, most of whom belonged to the same extended family, have been identified as Bina (35), Kajal (22), Mahak (12), Durgesh, Nandini, Ankit, Shubh, Sanju Verma, Anju, Anusuya, and Saumiya.

Four survivors, critically injured, were rescued with the help of villagers and rushed to the district hospital for treatment. Their condition remains serious, and they are under close medical supervision. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for postmortem, and police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident, with preliminary reports suggesting loss of control as a key factor.

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Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the “heart-wrenching” tragedy, announcing financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the families of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 for the injured. He directed district authorities to ensure immediate medical care for the survivors and expedite relief efforts. “My condolences are with the grief-stricken families,” Adityanath stated, adding that administrative teams are working tirelessly to support those affected.

The accident has cast a pall over the region, with locals highlighting the need for better road safety measures on rural routes. The Saryu canal, part of a national irrigation project benefiting nine eastern UP districts, has previously been the site of flooding and accidents, raising concerns about infrastructure safety. As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of lives and prays for the recovery of the injured.

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