Devastating Crash on UP Expressway: 12 Pilgrims Lose Lives

A tragic road accident on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district has resulted in the deaths of at least 12 pilgrims and left more than 16 injured. The devastating incident occurred late on Sunday night, around 1 AM, as the group was returning to Budaun after a pilgrimage to Bagad Dham (Gogamedi) in Rajasthan.

Police reported that the canter, carrying 32 devotees, hit a divider and overturned near the Basi and Bada villages in the Khekra Kotwali area, approximately 15 km from the Baghpat district headquarters. The sudden impact and overturning of the vehicle caused chaos and panic among the passengers, most of whom were asleep at the time.

Emergency services and police quickly arrived at the scene, rushing the injured to a district hospital. Doctors there initially pronounced six people dead. Subsequently, 22 injured individuals were brought in for treatment, with 18 of them later referred to a higher medical center in Meerut.

Tragically, six more succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment in Meerut, bringing the total death toll to 12.

SSP Rai Suraj Rai confirmed the fatalities.

Among the identified deceased are Munni Devi (55), Sugadpal (40), Sadhu (60), Rameshwar Yadav (60), Premsingh (40), and seven-year-old Jitendra. Authorities are still working to identify the remaining victims. Kunwarpal, one of the injured passengers, recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “We were all sleeping in the vehicle when there was a loud impact and the canter suddenly overturned.

There was screaming and chaos at the spot.”

While Kunwarpal claimed the driver mentioned a collision with another vehicle from behind, causing their canter to lose balance, police are conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact circumstances and cause of this horrific accident. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of road safety, especially for long-distance pilgrim journeys.

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