A tragic multi-vehicle pile-up on the Delhi-Lucknow National Highway in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district claimed one life and left at least 24 people injured amid thick morning fog on January 18, 2026. The accident occurred early Sunday when visibility dropped drastically due to dense fog, leading to a chain-reaction collision involving at least 20 vehicles. According to Faridpur Police Station SHO Radheshyam, the mishap began when a state roadways bus traveling from Gorakhpur to Meerut rammed into a truck, triggering subsequent crashes that damaged three roadways buses, a truck, several cars, and other vehicles.

One truck veered off the highway and crashed into roadside trees, while multiple vehicles slid off the road, exacerbating the chaos. The deceased was identified as the co-driver of one of the roadways buses involved in the initial impact. Four of the injured were reported in critical condition and rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent treatment, with others sustaining fractures, head injuries, and minor wounds. Emergency services, including ambulances and police teams, responded swiftly to the scene, but the severe fog complicated rescue operations initially.

The incident caused massive traffic snarls on both carriageways of the busy national highway, stranding commuters for hours. Authorities deployed cranes to clear the wreckage and restore normal flow, though disruptions persisted well into the day. Officials attributed the crash entirely to poor visibility, urging drivers to exercise extreme caution during foggy conditions, especially in early mornings when such weather is common in northern India this winter season.

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This accident highlights the recurring danger of dense fog on Uttar Pradesh highways, where low visibility often leads to deadly pile-ups. Similar incidents have been reported recently in nearby districts like Amroha and others, prompting renewed calls for fog safety measures such as reduced speeds, use of fog lights, and installation of better signage. Police have launched an investigation to determine any additional factors, while urging motorists to stay updated on weather alerts from the IMD.

As northern India grapples with cold wave and foggy spells, road safety remains a critical concern. Authorities advise avoiding travel during peak fog hours and maintaining safe distances. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of how weather can turn routine journeys deadly, emphasizing the need for vigilance on high-traffic corridors like the Delhi-Lucknow route.

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