At least 18 people were killed and 19 others injured after a double-decker bus, going from Delhi to Bihar, hit a milk tanker on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Unnao in the early hours of Wednesday.
Bangarmau Circle Officer Arvind Kumar said that the accident took place near Jojikot village in the area, when the bus collided with the tanker. The deceased include 14 men, three women and a child, said Additional Director General of Police (Lucknow) SB Shiradkar to news agency PTI.
Police rushed to the spot after receiving information of the incident, taking out all the injured and admitting them to the CHC Bangarmau for treatment.
Behtamujawar Police, the station which the Expressway area comes under, said that necessary action is being taken, adding that the bodies are being taken in custody.
Unnao District Magistrate Gaurang Rathi said that the incident occurred around 5:15 am when the private bus was coming from Bihar's Motihari. "After the initial investigation, it looks like the bus was over speeding. The injured are getting treatment," he added.
Rathi said that six persons have been referred to the Trauma Centre, while the rest are being treated at the District Hospital. Additionally, he said that of the 57 persons aboard the bus, 20 were safe and they were being sent to Delhi.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the accident in the Unnao district and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
Adityanath has directed the officials to reach the spot immediately and expedite the relief work, communication from the CM's office read.
In a post on X, he said, "I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed souls in his feet and provide speedy recovery to the injured."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
"The road accident in Unnao is extremely painful. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this (accident). May God give them strength in this difficult time. Along with this, I wish the injured a speedy recovery," PMO's X post quoted Modi as saying.
It said that the local administration has been directed to provide all possible assistance to the victims under the supervision of the state government.
"The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Unnao. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the PMO said.
President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the incident, saying, "The news of the death of many people in a road accident on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to the family members of those who have become victims of such sudden death and wish for the speedy recovery of those injured."
Meanwhile Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the district hospital to meet the victims of the accident and assured them proper treatment.
Speaking to news agency ANI, he said that hospitals in the nearby areas have been put on high alert, including the trauma centre of KGMO.
"Most of the injured people are from Bihar and we are in contact with the government there. Reasons for the accident will come after investigation, our priority is to provide proper treatment to the injured people," Pathak said.
The incident comes just days after two children lost their lives while five others were injured after a private tourist bus fell into a ravine in Gujarat's Dang.
The accident took place at Gujarat's Saputara Ghat. Reportedly, the bus driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to its fall into the steep gorge.
Meanwhile, on Monday, at least 40 school students were injured after a Haryana Roadways bus overturned in the state's Pinjore district.
The driver of the bus was suspended by Haryana Roadways. The driver reportedly was absconding after the accident, while the conductor -- who suffered injuries in the incident -- was undergoing treatment.
