At least 12 people were killed and more than 16 injured after a canter carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh's Budaun overturned on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway in Baghpat district early Monday, police said.
The pilgrims were returning from Bagad Dham in Rajasthan when the accident took place around 1 am between Basi and Bada villages in the Khekra Kotwali area, around 15 km from the Baghpat district headquarters.
Canter hits divider, overturns
The vehicle was carrying 32 devotees when it reportedly hit a divider before overturning. The impact left passengers trapped and triggered panic at the spot.
Police and emergency teams reached the site after being alerted and took the injured to the district hospital. Six people were declared dead there.
A doctor at the hospital said 22 injured passengers were brought in for treatment, with 18 later referred to a medical centre in Meerut. Six more people died while undergoing treatment at a medical college in Meerut, taking the death toll to 12, SSP Rai Suraj Rai confirmed.
The deceased were identified as Munni Devi, 55, Sugadpal, 40, Sadhu, 60, Rameshwar Yadav, 60, Premsingh, 40, and seven-year-old Jitendra. Efforts were underway to identify the remaining victims.
Passenger recalls moment of crash
Kunwarpal, one of the injured passengers, said most people inside the canter were asleep when the accident happened.
“We were all sleeping in the vehicle when there was a loud impact and the canter suddenly overturned. There was screaming and chaos at the spot,” he said.
Kunwarpal said the driver told passengers that another vehicle coming from behind had hit their canter, causing it to lose balance. Police are investigating the claim and the circumstances that led to the crash.
Pilgrims returning from Rajasthan
Bagad Dham, also known as Gogamedi, is a pilgrimage site in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh district associated with Jaharveer Baba Goga Ji Maharaj, or Goga Nath Ji. The group had travelled together from their village in Budaun.
Vimlesh Kumar Yadav said villagers had been visiting Rajasthan on pilgrimage for nearly two decades, with earlier trips generally passing without major incidents.
Baghpat District Magistrate Asmita Lal and Superintendent of Police Suraj Rai visited the injured at the district hospital and directed medical staff to ensure timely treatment.