Kushinagar: A tragic accident in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district has claimed the lives of three women and left 18 others injured after a tractor-trolley carrying nearly 25 devotees overturned and fell into the Gandak canal. The incident occurred late Wednesday night around 8 PM near the Siswa regulator under the jurisdiction of the Khadda police station. The group was travelling from Mamkhor Barhara village in the Maharajganj district to attend the Chaitra Ram Navami Varni fair at Bhaisaha Ghat when the vehicle lost control.
According to preliminary police findings, the accident was caused by a mechanical failure when the hook connecting the trolley to the tractor snapped. This sudden disconnection caused the trolley, laden with devotees, to flip and plunge directly into the canal. While several passengers managed to leap from the vehicle before it submerged, many others were trapped or thrown into the water. Local authorities and onlookers rushed to the scene to initiate rescue operations, transporting 21 injured individuals to the Kushinagar Medical College for emergency treatment.
Medical officials confirmed that 57-year-old Meera Devi was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. Two other victims, identified as Kismati Devi (51) and Nirmala (45), succumbed to their injuries during treatment, bringing the total death toll to three. The remaining 18 injured passengers continue to receive medical care, with some reported to be in critical condition. Khadda Station House Officer Sandeep Singh stated that the bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examinations as part of the standard legal procedure.
The accident has cast a shadow over the ongoing Chaitra Ram Navami festivities in the region, highlighting the persistent safety risks associated with using tractor-trolleys for passenger transport. Kushinagar police have launched a formal investigation into the mechanical failure of the vehicle to determine if negligence played a role in the fatal crash. Meanwhile, the district administration is coordinating with the victims’ families in Maharajganj to provide necessary support following the tragedy.
