2 killed, 15 injured in pile-up on smog-affected NH-1 in Karnal

At least two people, including a woman, were killed and more than 15 were injured in pile-ups on national highway 1 on the outskirts of Karnal city early on Sunday morning.

At least two people, including a woman, were killed and more than 15 were injured in pile-ups on national highway 1 on the outskirts of Karnal city early on Sunday morning.

At least two people, including a woman, were killed and more than 15 were injured in pile-ups on national highway 1 on the outskirts of Karnal city on Sunday.(HT Photo)

The police said death toll could increase.

The accident took place due to dense smog (smoke + fog) early morning and at least 30 vehicles collided at two locations, according to the police. The names of the victims are yet to be released; the injured were taken to a hospital.

At least 30 vehicles collided at two locations due to the dense smog on NH-1, according to the police. (HT Photo)

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“Two deaths have been reported — one each at Raipur Roran and near grain market chowk of Karnal city,” Shamsher Singh, highway police station in-charge told Hindustan Times. “Several people are injured in the two major accidents and they have been admitted at hospitals in the district and also the bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem.”

Smog, a mixture of smoke and fog, drastically reduces visibility, especially in the morning, according to weather analysts.

“We have already issued instructions to the people that they should wear glasses while driving as it causes irritation in the eyes and leads to accidents,” said Sham Singh Chauhan, weather analyst at Central Soil Salinity Research Institute Karnal. “Visibility in the morning reduced to only 50 to 100 metres.”

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