In Karnataka, the death toll has reached nine, while over 18 others were injured after a goods-laden truck lost control and rammed into the crowd participating in a Ganesh idol immersion in Hassan district last evening.
Hassan Superintendent of Police, Mohammad Sujeetha MS, said the incident occurred on National Highway-373 when the truck was trying to avoid a bike that was coming from the opposite direction on the road. He said the driver was also injured in the mishap and has been taken into custody.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief over the mishap and announced an ex-gratia of 5 lakh rupees to the victims’ families.
The incident occurred on the Hassan-Holenarasipura state highway near Mosale Hosahalli village. A Canter truck swerved to avoid a two-wheeler, jumped across the road divider and ploughed into a Ganesh immersion procession passing on the other side of the road.
The police officers said that around 17 others remain hospitalised. “Nine people have died in this accident. Of them, six are locals, while three are students from Chikkamagaluru, Bellary, and Chitradurga. Seventeen others are being treated in hospitals,” southern range inspector-general of police (IGP) Boralingaiah said.
Preliminary findings suggest the truck, travelling from Hassan toward Holenarasipur, first hit a motorcycle and a barricade before ramming into the procession on National Highway 373 near the Mosale Hosahalli village. “The canter driver first hit a bike and a barricade before plowing into the crowd,” Boralingaiah said.
Boralingaiah added that legal proceedings have been initiated against the driver of the truck, who was also injured and is under medical care.
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah expressed sorrow, promising ₹5 lakh in compensation to families of the deceased and full medical support for the injured. “I am deeply saddened to hear the news that a lorry ran over people taking part in a procession for Ganesh immersion in Hassan, killing many and injuring more than 20 others,” he posted on X.