Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed deep anguish over the loss of life in a tragic road accident in Khunti district of Jharkhand, where seven people lost their lives and one person sustained injuries.

In a statement shared by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on X, PM Modi extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wished a quick recovery for those injured in the incident.

Seven people were killed and one person was injured in Jharkhand's Khunti district late Thursday night when an 18-wheeler truck ran over a crowd gathered to help a scooter rider near the Jone-Ludru turn on the Karra-Torpa main road.

The deceased victims include Pako Devi, Kasila Devi, Manhu Devi, Golu Kumar, Anjali Kumari, Tuti Kumari, and 12-year-old Saurabh Nayak.

All the victims lived in a nearby colony adjacent to the accident site. Medical staff are currently treating an injured survivor, Khushbu Kumari, at Khunti Sadar Hospital.

The tragedy began around 9:45 p.m. when a scooter rider lost control and crashed into bushes near a culvert.

Local women and children rushed to the culvert to inspect the crash and offer assistance.

A high-speed truck coming from the Torpa side suddenly ploughed into the crowd standing along the roadside.

The collision killed six people instantly and triggered widespread panic across the area.
Bystanders immediately alerted the Karra police and rushed the victims to Khunti Sadar Hospital.

Saurabh Nayak succumbed to severe injuries at the hospital around 11:15 p.m. late Thursday night.

Eyewitnesses reported that the truck was traveling at a reckless speed toward Karra.
Local residents alleged that the truck driver was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

The driver and his helper abandoned the truck and fled the scene immediately after the crash.

Police officers seized the vehicle and launched a manhunt to arrest the fleeing driver and helper.

Advertisement