At least 22 killed as tractor carrying pilgrims falls into pond in Kanpur; Prez Murmu, PM Modi condole deaths

Kanpur: At least 22 people were killed and several others injured when a tractor trolley carrying pilgrims overturned in a pond in the Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday (October 1). The tractor trolley was reportedly carrying around 50 pilgrims who were returning after a ceremony from Chandrika Devi temple in Fatehpur when it overturned into a roadside pond between Sarh and Gambhirpur village. Ten bodies have been fished out so far and the rescue operation is underway.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath expressed grief over the tragic incident.

Expressing condolences on the incident, Murmu tweeted in Hindi, "Deeply anguished by the news of the death of many people in a road accident in Kanpur. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this accident. I wish the injured people a speedy recovery."

कानपुर में हुए सड़क हादसे में कई लोगों की मृत्यु के समाचार से बहुत व्यथित हूं। इस दुर्घटना में अपने प्रियजनों को खोने वाले परिवारों के प्रति मेरी गहन शोक-संवेदनाएं। मैं घायल हुए लोगों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करती हूं। — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 1, 2022

In a condolence message on Twitter, Prime Minister Modi said, "Distressed by the tractor-trolley mishap in Kanpur. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. Prayers with the injured. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected."

Distressed by the tractor-trolley mishap in Kanpur. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. Prayers with the injured. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 1, 2022

PM Modi has announced that an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be paid to the next of kin of each of the deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

CM Yogi Adityanath also expressed grief and sent senior ministers Rakesh Sachan and Ajit Pal to the accident site to oversee the relief-and-rescue measures.

इस दुर्घटना में हुई जनहानि अत्यंत दु:खद है।

मेरी संवेदनाएं शोकाकुल परिजनों के साथ हैं।

प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत आत्माओं को अपने श्री चरणों में स्थान तथा मृतकों के परिजनों को यह अथाह दुःख सहन करने की शक्ति प्रदान करें।

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) October 1, 2022

The injured were rushed to a community health centre (CHC) in Bhitergaon in ambulances arranged by police, the official said, adding that more than a dozen people were declared dead at the facility.

(With agency inputs)