At least 18 people died and 19 injured as a double-decker bus traveling from Bihar's Sitamarhi to Delhi collided with a milk tanker on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district on July 10.
Among the deceased were three women and a child, as confirmed by police officials.
The accident happened around 5:15 am, and the force of the crash was so fierce that several passengers were thrown out of the bus.
Images from the scene show a horrific sight of bodies lying on the ground, twisted metal, broken glass, and personal belongings scattered around.
Bangarmau Circle Officer (CO) Arvind Kumar said, “Due to the impact of the collision, both the bus and milk tanker overturned. Drivers of the two vehicles are among the dead.”
The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said that the state government is making all efforts to shift the injured to better hospitals.
“The Injured are being shifted to hospitals with advanced facilities. All hospitals near Unnao are being put on alert. The trauma center of King George's Medical University (KGMU) is on alert… I have come to see all the arrangements. Most of the injured people are from Bihar, and we are in contact with the Bihar govt. Reasons for the accident will be known after an investigation. For now, our priority is to provide proper treatment to the injured people,” Pathak said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said officials have been instructed to ensure the best treatment for the injured.
"The loss of lives in a road accident in Unnao district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. My condolences are with the bereaved families," he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
"District administration officials have been instructed to reach the spot and expedite the relief work. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant a place to the departed souls at his feet and for the speedy recovery of the injured," Adityanath wrote.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced financial compensation for the victims. "I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in this tragic accident on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway. The government will provide ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to those injured," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a post on X.
President Droupadi Murmu, writing in Hindi, said on X: “The news of the death of many people in a road accident on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway in Unnao is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to the family members of those who have died and wish for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
