Bathinda: Five people from Gujarat, including a woman serving in the state police, lost their lives in a road accident on a national highway in Punjab’s Bathinda district early Saturday, authorities said.
The mishap took place near Gurthari village when the sports utility vehicle they were travelling in struck a road divider while en route from Bathinda towards Dabwali. Preliminary information suggests that poor visibility caused by dense fog may have contributed to the crash.
All five occupants were rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda, where doctors declared them dead on arrival. The victims, aged between 25 and 30 years, have been identified as Satish, Bharat, Arjun, Janak and Amita. Officials confirmed that Amita was a constable with the Gujarat Police.
Police said the families of the deceased have been informed, and the bodies have been sent to the Civil Hospital in Bathinda for post-mortem examinations. Further investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances leading to the accident.
Reacting to the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed grief and said initial reports pointed to extremely low visibility on the stretch due to heavy fog. He said a State Safety Force (SSF) team was dispatched to the site and that district authorities had been directed to conduct an immediate inquiry.
The Chief Minister also appealed to motorists to remain alert while travelling in foggy conditions, stressing the importance of caution on highways during the winter season.
