Jharkhand: Truck mows down 11 devotees in Giridh

Eleven people were killed and many others injured, some critically, when a speeding truck lost control and ran over an idol immersion procession near Gahira on National Highway 2 in Giridih district on Sunday evening.

Eleven people were killed and many others injured, some critically, when a speeding truck lost control and ran over an idol immersion procession near Gahira on National Highway 2 in Giridih district on Sunday evening.

According to the police, the dead and injured are mostly young men in the 18 to 25 years age group who were dancing on the road while carrying the idol of Goddess Saraswati for immersion.

Eyewitness Sanjay Jaiswal said the driver lost control over the vehicle and ran over the group of people who were moving towards the local pond.

However, conflicting reports have emerged about what caused the accident. While some reports suggest the truck driver was drunk, others said the accident took place as there was no proper lighting in the area.

The state government has announced Rs 1 lakh compensation for the kin of the dead.

Chief minister Raghuwar Das expressed grief over the loss of life in the tragic accident and directed local MLA Nagendar Mahto to oversee relief measures.