Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, August 3, 2025: In a devastating road accident this Sunday morning, an SUV carrying pilgrims veered off a road and plunged into the Saryu canal near Gonda. At least 11 people lost their lives, while four others were rescued with injuries.
Incident and Rescue Details
The ill-fated journey began in Sihagaon village under Motiganj police station jurisdiction. The pilgrims were headed to offer prayers at the Prithvinath Temple in Khargupur. The vehicle—reported to be a Mahindra Bolero—was carrying between 14 to 15 people when the driver lost control near Belwa Bahuta / Rehera village, causing it to plunge into the canal.
Local residents and police at Itiyathok or Itiyathok police station quickly responded. With help from the public and rescue teams, they recovered 11 bodies from the canal and brought four survivors—including children and the driver—to the nearby district hospital.
Who Were the Victims
Victims included six women, two men, and three children, with nine of them from the same family. Several belonged to the family of Prahlad Gupta, a resident of Sihagaon. A teenage girl survivor recounted that most of them had been singing bhajans in the vehicle before the tragedy.
Government Response & Aid
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He announced compensation packages: ₹5 lakh to the families of the deceased, and directed authorities to ensure swift treatment for the injured.
The Prime Minister’s Office, via National Relief Fund, added ₹2 lakh per victim and ₹50,000 per injured, and reinforced condolences publicly.
District officials including the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police Vineet Jaiswal supervised rescue and relief operations. They ordered a technical and forensic inspection of the vehicle, and launched formal investigations into the cause—especially focusing on potential speeding, slippery roads due to rain, and safety neglect.
Broader Context & Cautions
Eyewitness accounts emphasized that heavy rain earlier in the morning had made the road slippery. When the driver braked to control the vehicle, the Bolero lost grip and veered off the canal-side road. Authorities have highlighted this tragedy as a stark reminder of the need for stricter adherence to traffic and vehicle safety norms—particularly during inclement weather.
What Comes Next
The Gonda district administration has formally ordered a detailed probe led by local officials. A post-mortem examination is underway, and families are being contacted and supported. Lessons from this tragedy may lead to renewed calls for better road maintenance near vulnerable canal belts.
