11 killed, 16 hurt in Giridih as truck rams into idol immersion procession

Ranchi, Feb 14: At least 11 people were killed and 16 others injured when a drunken truck driver lost control of his vehicle and plowed into a procession for the immersion of Goddess Saraswati idols in Jharkhand’s Giridih district on Sunday evening, police said. Out of the 11 deaths, four were students.

The mishap occurred on Giridih-Bagodar Grand Trunk road when the driver of a trailer-truck lost control and ran into the group of going to immerse the idol of Goddess Saraswati, Giridih Deputy Commissioner Uma Shankar Singh said.

Singh further informed that eight people died on the spot, while two expired in the hospital during treatment. After the incident panic was created which resulted in several injuries to the people. Of the 16 injured, some are reported to be in serious condition. After the incident driver and khalasi of the killer vehicle fled the scene. The truck was going from Dhanbad to Gaya.

Around 50 people were taking part in the procession at Bagodar in Giridih district, around 160 km from Ranchi.
The devotees were dancing and singing songs when the truck plowed into the crowd. The injured were rushed to a hospital for treatment. DSP Deepak Kumar has rushed the spot, he added.

Chief Minister Raghubar Das has sent his condolences to the families of the dead and injured.

Though sources said the truck driver was said to be drunk, some said the accident took place as there was no proper lighting in the area and no proper arrangements by the district administration for idol immersion.

The state government announced Rs.1 lakh compensation for the kin of the dead.