New Delhi (NVI): 15 labourers including a one-year-old girl, who were sleeping by the roadside in Surat district of Gujarat, were killed after they were run over by a dumper truck early this morning.
The tragic incident took place near Kosamba village, around 60 km from Surat, when the truck driver apparently lost control of the vehicle after hitting a sugarcane laden tractor.
Both the truck driver and cleaner were also injured in the accident and were admitted to a hospital. However, the truck driver has been booked and Surat rural Kosamba police has lodged a complaint against him. A probe into the incident is underway.
12 persons including the girl died on the spot and three of the nine injured died in a nearby hospital. According to police, all those who died were from Rajasthan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives. “The loss of lives due to a truck accident in Surat is tragic. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover at the earliest,” the PM’s office tweeted.
The loss of lives due to a truck accident in Surat is tragic. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover at the earliest: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 19, 2021
The Prime Minister has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives and Rs 50,000 each for those injured.
-ARK
