Madhya Pradesh accident: 4 pilgrims killed, 12 critical after vehicle rams container on NH-30; driver absconding

BHOPAL: Four people were killed and more than a dozen injured after a vehicle they were travelling in collided with a container truck on National Highway-30 in Maihar district late Monday night. The container driver fled the spot and is being traced, police said.The accident occurred near Tilora village in the Nadan area when the vehicle carrying around 20 passengers, rear-ended a container truck moving ahead. The occupants were travelling from Katni district to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to attend the Magh Mela beginning January 4 and to take a holy dip at the Sangam.Two passengers—Dhonga Patel (50) and the driver, Jitendra Pyasi (24)—died on the spot. A woman succumbed to her injuries while being referred to Katni, and another woman died during treatment at the hospital, taking the death toll to four.Local residents and police rushed to the site.The injured were shifted by ambulances to Maihar Civil Hospital and the district hospital. Doctors said the condition of 12 injured persons remains critical.Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. A manhunt is on to trace the absconding truck driver.