24 killed in India as tractor-trolley carrying devotees plunges into pond in UP’s Kasganj

UTTAR PRADESH, KASGANJ, Feb 24 (SABAH): At least 24 people were killed after a tractor-trolley carrying devotees plunged into a pond in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj. Several others were severely injured in the accident that took place on Saturday morning. 22 people died on the spot while two others died on their way to the hospital in Aligarh.

The dead included 13 women, eight children and one man. The devotees were heading towards the River Ganga to take a holy dip on the occasion of ‘Magh Purnima’ when the accident occurred.

“The tractor-trolley overturned and fell into the 7-8-foot-deep pond while the tractor driver was trying to overtake another vehicle,” Aligarh Range Inspector General, Shalabh Mathur, said.

Locals who rushed to the spot soon after the incident carried out rescue operations, and those injured were admitted to hospitals.

“22 deaths were reported in the Kasganj accident, five people are admitted here and two have been discharged… Around 10 people are injured,” Chief Medical Officer in Kasganj, Rajiv Agrawal, confirmed.

Kasganj District Magistrate, Sudha Verma, said there were around 30 people on the tractor when the incident happened.

“Some devotees from Etah were travelling to Kasganj this morning, when the trolley overturned. Some 25-30 people were seated in the trolley when the accident took place. The villagers rescued the victims,” Verma said.

She added that the kin of the deceased will be given Rs 2 lakh each and the injured will be given Rs 50000 each by the government.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who took note of the accident, expressed condolences to the families of the victims. He also directed authorities to immediately reach the spot and expedite relief efforts. He also instructed for appropriate medical treatment for the injured.