UP: 8 Children among 24 Dead after Tractor Trolley of Devotees Falls into Pond in Kasganj

As many as 24 people including 13 children and eight women died in the accident that took place on the Patiali-Dariavganj Road in Uttar Pradesh's Kasganj district on Saturday.

Kasganj (Uttar Pradesh): In a major mishap, 24 people including 13 women and eight children, were killed after a tractor trolley filled with devotees went out of control and fell into the pond in the Kasganj district of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

The mishap took place on the Patiali-Dariavganj road at around 10 AM with most deaths occurring due to drowning. A rescue operation was soon launched, first by locals who were later joined by police and other administrative officials.

Officials said that at least 15 other people were injured in the accident. The occupants of the tractor-trolley were going to take a bath in the Ganga river. "The tractor-trolley overturned and fell into the 7-8-foot-deep pond while the tractor driver was trying to overtake another vehicle. Fifteen people -- seven children and eight women -- died in the accident. Around 15-20 people were injured and have been hospitalised," Inspector General, Aligarh Range, Shalabh Mathur said. The death toll eventually increased to 24.

Mathur said the bodies will be handed over to the families of the deceased after conducting a post-mortem examination. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

In a post on X, Adityanath condoled the loss of lives in the accident. "The loss of lives in a road accident in Kasganj district is extremely heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families. District administration officials have been instructed to provide proper free treatment to all the injured. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured," the UP Chief Minister's post read.