Death toll of migrant labourers crushed under truck in India rises to 15

Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-19 16:05:52|Editor: huaxia
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Photo taken on Jan. 19, 2021 shows the site of a road accident at Kosamba village in India's western state of Gujarat. Death toll of migrant labourers run over by a truck Tuesday in India's western state of Gujarat has risen to 15, police said. According to police officials, the labourers were sleeping on a pavement next to a road at Kosamba village, around 245 south of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat. (Str/Xinhua)

by Peerzada Arshad Hamid

NEW DELHI, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Death toll of migrant labourers overran by a truck Tuesday in India's western state of Gujarat has risen to 15, police said.

Few others injured in the accident are undergoing treatment at hospital.

According to police officials, the labourers were sleeping on a pavement next to a road at Kosamba village, around 245 south of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat.

While 13 people were killed on spot, two others succumbed at the hospital, officials said.

"So far 15 people have been killed in the accident and few others are undergoing treatment at a hospital," a police official said. "The accident took place when a truck collided with a tractor early today, following it the truck climbed to the pavement and crushed people sleeping there to death."

The victims have been identified as labourers from Rajasthan state. Police said they were working at construction sites in the area.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and announced a monetary relief to the families of victims.

"The loss of lives due to a truck accident in Surat is tragic. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover at the earliest," Modi wrote on twitter.

"Ex-gratia of INR 200,000 (2,731 U.S. dollars) each from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund - PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the accident in Surat. INR 50,000 (682 U.S. dollars) each would be given to those injured."

Likewise, the local governments of Gujarat and Rajasthan have announced a similar relief package for the victims.

The deadly accident took place after Indian government launched National Road Safety Month to disseminate awareness regarding road safety and reduce road accidents in India.

According to federal road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari, every day 415 people die in the country due to road accidents and 70 percent of the deaths are in the age group of 18-45 years. The minister said government has made a commitment that before 2025, road accidents and deaths due to it will be brought down by 50 percent with help of people's participation.

Deadly road accidents are common in India often due to overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving. Enditem

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