West Bengal: Road accident due to fog claims 13 lives in Jalpaiguri; PM Modi announces ex-gratia
Around 18 people have been injured in the accident and have been admitted to a hospital.
FollowJalpaiguri (West Bengal): At least 13 people died in an accident in Dhupguri city of Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal on Tuesday night. The accident happened due to low visibility. Around 18 people have been injured in the accident and have been admitted to a hospital.
According to police sources, a commercial vehicle Tata Magic, a Maruti van, and a car were travelling towards Dhupguri.
The first vehicle collided head-on with a truck due to reduced visibility. The truck driver lost control and the minivan and the car which were coming from opposite directions, collided.
"A vehicle collided head-on with a boulder loaded truck whose driver lost control of the vehicle and hit the divider and slipped towards its right side. Two other vehicles coming from the wrong side collided into the body of the truck due to which boulders loaded in the vehicle fell on them. Another small lorry in front of the truck was also damaged. In all, four vehicles got damaged," Sumant Roy, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Jalpaiguri said.
The police officer said that the circle inspector of Dhupguri and his team reached the accident spot within 10 minutes of the incident. Sumant Roy said that several cranes were called in to clear the road.
According to cops, the victims were headed to a wedding. Eyewitnesses said several women and children were among the victims.
The accident took place near Jaldhaka Bridge on the national highway.
As per hospital sources, a total of 13 were brought dead and 18 were reportedly injured. Of the 13 people, there are two male corpses, six female corpses, four children, the hospital sources informed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced to pay Rs 2,00,000 compensation for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
"The road accident in Dhupguri in Jalpaiguri (West Bengal) is extremely anguishing. In this time of sadness, prayers with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," the PMO said.
"From the PMNRF, Ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the accident in West Bengal. Rs. 50,000 each would be given to those injured" the PMO said in its Twitter account.
