Hathras, Uttar Pradesh – In a devastating accident on National Highway 93, 15 people, including four women and four children, lost their lives when a state roadways bus collided with the van they were traveling in. The collision occurred on Friday near Kanwarpur village, about 10 km from Hathras district headquarters.
The accident took place when the bus, attempting to overtake the van, rammed into it on the busy Agra-Aligarh national highway, according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Nipun Agarwal. Thirteen additional passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby government hospital for treatment.
Immediate Government Response
Taking swift action, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed district officials to visit the accident site immediately and oversee the relief operations. The Chief Minister also instructed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured victims.
In his statement, CM Adityanath announced a financial aid package, pledging Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those who were critically injured.
Prime Minister and President Offer Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, also announcing an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. PM Modi stated on X (formerly Twitter), “The local administration, under the guidance of the state government, is providing all possible assistance to the victims.”
President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her deep sorrow over the loss of lives, offering prayers for the quick recovery of those injured. In her statement on X, she remarked, “The news of the deaths in this road accident in Hathras is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with the families, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Victims Identified
Authorities have identified the victims of the collision. Among the deceased are Irshad (25), Munne Khan (55), Muskan (16), Talli (28), Tabassum (28), Najma (25), Bhola (25), Khushbu (25), Jameel (50), Chote (25), Ayan (2), Sufiyan (1), Alfaz (6), Shoaib (5), and Ishrat (50).
Frequent Accidents on National Highways
This tragic incident is not an isolated one. National highways across India have been the site of numerous fatal accidents in recent years. Here are some past related incidents:
- August 23, 2023 – In Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, a bus collided with a truck on National Highway 24, killing 10 people and injuring several others. The accident was blamed on poor visibility due to heavy rains and reckless driving.
- July 17, 2022 – In Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, 12 people lost their lives in a horrific accident when a speeding truck collided with a van carrying pilgrims. The accident occurred on National Highway 7, raising concerns over unsafe driving practices.
- December 25, 2021 – A major accident on Mumbai-Pune Expressway claimed 9 lives after a bus collided with a stationary truck. Investigation revealed that poor lighting and speeding were the primary causes of the incident.
These incidents have triggered renewed calls for stronger traffic enforcement, better road safety measures, and infrastructure improvements to curb the rising number of highway fatalities.
Public Demand for Accountability
As road accidents on national highways continue to claim lives, public outcry for accountability has intensified. With the Hathras accident once again highlighting the dangers of reckless driving and inadequate safety measures, experts are urging authorities to address these issues urgently.
As investigations into the Hathras accident continue, further steps are expected to be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
