Ghazipur: At least eight devotees returning from the Maha Kumbh Mela were killed and 12 others injured after a pickup van they were travelling in met with an accident here in Uttar Pradesh, on Friday, police said.
Police said the accident was triggered when the axle of the pickup carrying the devotees broke down on the Varanasi-Ghazipur-Gorakhpur four-lane near the Kusmhi Kalan village of Nandganj area
“The devotees were returning from Prayagraj after taking a holy bath at Maha Kumbh in a pickup bearing registration number UP 53 JT-0756. Suddenly, its axle broke and occupants fell onto the road and were hit by a truck,” they said.
“The speeding truck coming from behind crushed them, leading to eight deaths and 12 injuries,” police said.
According to the Ghazipur District Magistrate Aryaka Akhouri, at least 24 devotees were on board the pickup van when the accident took place. She said all the occupants of the van were residents of Gorakhpur and were on their way back home from Mahakumbh.
“The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem while the injured have been admitted to Ghazipur District Hospital for treatment. We will cover all the medical expenses of the injured until they recover,” she said.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of life in the accident. He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and directed officials to ensure proper treatment is given to the wounded admitted to the hospital.
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