Tragic Accident in Gonda: On a fateful Sunday morning, August 3, 2025, a devastating accident shook Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh, claiming the lives of 11 people and leaving four others injured. A Bolero SUV, carrying 15 passengers, lost control and plunged into the Saryu Canal near the Itiyathok police station area. The group, primarily from two families in Sihagaon village under Motiganj police station, was en route to the revered Prithvinath Temple in Kharagupur for a ritual offering during the holy month of Sawan.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The accident occurred around 6:00 AM near the Rehra Belwa Bahuta bridge on the Sihagaon-Kharagupur road. Reports indicate that continuous rainfall had made the narrow canal-side road slippery, contributing to the loss of control of the speeding Bolero. The vehicle, overloaded beyond its capacity of seven passengers, veered off the road and submerged in the canal, where water levels were high due to recent rains. The locked doors and rapid flooding of the vehicle left the occupants with little chance of escape, leading to the tragic loss of lives.
Local residents, hearing the crash, rushed to the scene and attempted a rescue by breaking the vehicle’s windows. Despite their efforts, only four passengers, including the driver and three children, were saved and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The deceased included five women and six men, with nine belonging to a single family. The victims were identified as Beena (35), Kajal (22), Mahak (12), Durgesh, Nandini, Ankit, Shubh, Sanju Verma, Anju, Anusuiya, and Saumya. One person remains missing, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continuing search operations.
Details | Information |
|---|---|
Date | August 3, 2025 |
Location | Rehra Belwa Bahuta, Itiyathok, Gonda, Uttar Pradesh |
Vehicle | Bolero SUV |
Total Passengers | 15 |
Deceased | 11 (9 from one family, including women and children) |
Injured | 4 (including driver and three children) |
Cause | Overloading, slippery road due to rain, high speed |
Destination | Prithvinath Temple, Kharagupur |
Rescue Efforts | Local residents, police, NDRF; vehicle still in canal |
Financial Aid (CM) | ₹5 lakh per deceased family, ₹50,000 per injured (by PM Narendra Modi) |
Official Response and Relief Measures
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath swiftly took cognizance of the tragedy, expressing deep sorrow and offering condolences to the bereaved families. He directed district officials to expedite relief operations and ensure comprehensive medical care for the injured. CM Yogi announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the kin of each deceased and instructed authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief, announcing ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured, emphasizing the government’s support during this crisis.
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Community and Administrative Action
The accident has left Sihagaon village in a state of mourning, with families devastated by the loss of loved ones. Gonda’s Superintendent of Police, Vineet Jaiswal, confirmed that the police, along with local divers and NDRF teams, are working to recover the missing person and the submerged vehicle. Initial investigations point to overloading and adverse weather conditions as primary causes, raising concerns about lax enforcement of traffic regulations in rural areas.
This heart-wrenching incident underscores the need for stricter road safety measures, especially during monsoons, to prevent such tragedies in the future. The collective grief in Gonda serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of vigilance on the roads.
Sources: Local news reports and official statements from Uttar Pradesh authorities.
