Tragedy in Gonda: Eleven Dead, Including Six Children, as SUV Plunges Into Saryu Canal; Search Underway for Missing Passenger
In a heart-wrenching incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district, eleven people, including six minors, lost their lives early Sunday morning when the SUV they were travelling in lost control, overturned, and plunged into the Saryu canal.
The devastating mishap occurred as the group, comprising members from two families, was on its way to offer prayers at the revered Prithvinath temple in Khargupur.
The accident took place near the Itiathok area of the Gonda district. According to preliminary reports from the police, the vehicle suddenly veered off the road — under circumstances that are yet to be fully determined — and toppled into the fast-flowing waters of the Saryu canal.
The impact of the fall caused the SUV to overturn, trapping several passengers inside.
While eleven lives were lost in the tragic accident, four individuals were rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
The condition of the injured remains critical, and medical teams are making all efforts to stabilize them. Emergency responders, including local police and disaster management teams, acted swiftly to retrieve the bodies from the canal and transport the injured to the hospital.
All the victims have been identified as residents of Sihagwan village in Gonda. The group had set out early in the morning to visit the temple for a special puja. The deceased include young children and elders, casting a dark shadow over their tightly-knit rural community.
Krishn Gopal Rai, Station House Officer (SHO) of Itiathok police station, stated that the process of verifying the identities of the deceased is ongoing. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examinations, which will help confirm details and support further investigation into the tragedy.
According to sources close to the families of the victims, there were a total of 16 people inside the SUV at the time of the incident — a number that exceeds the standard capacity of most such vehicles. Police have not yet confirmed this count, but have initiated a comprehensive search operation to trace the missing passenger who is feared to have been swept away by the strong canal currents.
Divers and rescue teams are currently scouring the water to locate the missing individual, while the submerged vehicle is being retrieved from the canal.
Once it is recovered, the SUV will be subjected to a technical inspection to assess any possible mechanical failure that might have contributed to the accident. Investigators will also explore whether overloading or driver error played a role in the mishap.
Expressing deep grief over the tragic loss of lives, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
In a statement released by his office, he announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. He also directed officials to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical care and that the families receive all necessary support during this time of mourning.
The accident has sent shockwaves through the region, with villagers mourning the untimely deaths of friends, neighbors, and children. Local authorities are appealing to people to follow road safety guidelines, especially while traveling in larger groups, and to avoid overloading vehicles on narrow or rural roads.
As the investigation continues and the search for the missing person remains underway, the tragedy stands as a grim reminder of the fragile line between routine travel and irreversible loss.
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