10 dead in head-on collision between van and truck in UP's Lakhimpur Kheri

LAKHIMPUR KHERI: At least ten people were killed after a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.

The van was travelling from Lakhimpur to Sisaiya when the accident occurred between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages, according to news agency PTI.

Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers in the van and the driver were killed in the collision.

District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, resulting in nine deaths on the spot, while one victim succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.

He also said that efforts are underway to identify the remaining deceased. “Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons.”

According to police, seven of the victims have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district, and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district.

Expressing grief over the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."

"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.

Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak also condoled the loss of lives in the accident.

“The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families,” Maurya said.

PM Narendra Modi expresses condolences over the loss of lives in the Lakhimpur Kheri accident.

PM Modi posted on X, "Deeply pained to hear about a mishap in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000."