Twelve laborers were killed and 20 others injured when the pickup van they were traveling in overturned and collided with an SUV in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district on Wednesday night, according to officials. The accident occurred between 8:30 PM and 9 PM as approximately 35 laborers were returning home from Baggad. Preliminary reports indicate the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn and strike the oncoming SUV.
Abhishek Choudhary, the in-charge collector of Dhar district, stated that all victims died at the scene, while those who were critically injured were transferred to Indore for further treatment after receiving initial care.
Authorities have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the tragedy and announced ex-gratia assistance of ₹2 lakh (approximately $2,400) each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of the deceased, in addition to ₹50,000 (around $600) for the injured.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also expressed his sympathies and declared financial assistance of ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹1 lakh for those severely injured, and ₹50,000 for individuals with minor injuries. Yadav instructed officials, including the Indore Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General, to travel to Dhar and ensure that the injured receive proper medical treatment at no cost.
