Tragedy in Gonda: 11 Dead as Family Vehicle Plunges into Saryu Canal During Temple Visit

A devastating road accident struck Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh, leaving the entire community in shock and mourning. On their way to the revered Prithvinath Temple for a ritual ceremony, a family’s Bolero vehicle lost control and fell into the Saryu Canal, resulting in the tragic death of 11 people, including women and children.

The Incident

The accident occurred near the village of Siha on the Khargopur-Motiganj road within the Motiganj police station area. According to reports, the Bolero was carrying 13 people, most of them from the same family, all headed to perform a temple ritual. Continuous rainfall had left the road slick and dangerously slippery. With the speed of the car a bit higher than advisable and the road conditions worsening, the driver lost control and the vehicle veered off, plunging straight into the canal.

Immediate Response

Villagers nearby rushed to the scene after hearing the commotion and desperate cries for help. The accident happened at around 10:00 AM, and people immediately alerted the police and began trying to rescue those trapped inside the sunken vehicle.

Breaking the windows, villagers and rescue teams managed to pull everyone out and performed CPR on the victims. Sadly, despite their best efforts, 11 people—including several women and children—were declared dead on the spot or soon after. Four survivors were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care.

Rescue & Aftermath

The Bolero remains partially submerged as rescue operations, involving nearly 100 police officers from three different stations, continue. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the incident, ordering swift rescue and relief measures. He also announced a financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and demanded that the injured receive the best possible treatment.

Questions Raised

This heartbreaking event has raised concerns about road safety, especially during the monsoon when rural roads become treacherous. Speed, wet surfaces, and crowded vehicles often turn even a routine journey into a tragedy. The loss of so many from a single family has devastated the local community, with villagers in shock and authorities calling for safer infrastructure and public awareness about travel safety.

Conclusion

The Gonda canal accident is a sobering reminder to be extra careful on the road, especially when traveling with families during adverse weather conditions. Our deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families, and we hope for a speedy recovery for those injured.

Stay tuned for more updates and information on this and other important news stories.