UP highway pile-up & fire toll now 13, video shows scale of fog-triggered mishap
Incident occurred in the Baldev area of Mathura district at 4:30 AM on Tuesday; many of the deceased were in buses, while others were in cars
At least 13 people have died in a huge fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district after seven buses and three cars collided near Milestone 127 in a pile-up caused by dense fog in the early hours of Tuesday. The toll was initially four, who were charred to death, but there were about 25 people injured, of whom have nine have since succumbed, police officials said.
A video of the aftermath of the tragedy surfaced on social media. The video, shared by news agency ANI, showed police and rescue teams on the spot.
Watch the visuals here:
The incident occurred in the Baldev area of UP's Mathura district at 4:30 AM on Tuesday. A dozen fire tenders and 14 ambulances have been deployed at the spot for the rescue operations.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath declares compensation for the victims
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the tragedy and has declared compensation of ₹2 lakh to the family members of each person who lost their lives in the incident. CM has also asked officials in the Mathura district to reach the spot and ensure the best of treatment to those injured and burnt in the incident.
“The incident took place at 4.30 AM on Tuesday at Milestone 127 of the Yamuna Expressway because of low visibility caused by dense fog. Seven buses and three cars piled up due to low visibility because of fog,” Mathura SSP Shlok Kumar told the media after reaching the spot of the incident.
“The traffic was diverted during rescue operation and injured are shifted by ambulances. Fire has been doused,” the SSP added.
PM Modi announces ex-gratia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the incident and announced ex gratia assistance for the victims.
In a message posted on X of the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi said, “The loss of lives due to a mishap on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura is extremely painful. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
The Prime Minister has announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of those who died in the accident, while the injured would get ₹50,000 each.
