Amid the festive season, 49 deaths have been reported across five states in the last 24 hours. From the stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata to the wreckage of a bus in Kota and a truck crashing into devotees in Gwalior, these incidents have cast a pall of gloom over the festive joys.
18 dead in Gwalior
A tragic accident occurred around 1:30 AM on Sunday near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, where a large number of devotees were visiting the temple during Navratri. At least 18 people were killed, and dozens of others were injured when an uncontrolled truck hit a group of people on the road coming from Chhinor. Two policemen deployed at the scene were also injured.
The injured were rushed to the hospital, where they were being treated. Several among them were in serious condition.
ALSO READ: 18 Killed, 30 Injured After A Truck Crashed Into Devotees Near Gwalior's Sheetla Mata Mandir
Chorbagan stampede in Kolkata
The stampede incident at the Sarvajanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata's Chorbagan that reportedly took place over crowd mismanagement and heavy rain on Saturday evening claimed the lives of at least 19 people while 24 were injured.
The deceased include four men, two children, and 13 women. Eleven of the injured have been referred to SSKM Hospital.
A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to inspect the security arrangements at the city's major and popular Durga Puja pandals. The team includes Rajesh Sinha, Principal Secretary of the Disaster Management Department, Anuj Sharma, Director General of the Fire Department, and Javed Shamim, Additional Director General of the Special Task Force. The Kolkata Police will also assist in the inspection, and the Director General of Police will guide the team.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the hospital on Sunday to meet the victims. CM Suvendu Adhikari has announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 25 lakh, separately from Rs 2 lakh announced by PM Modi, for the next of kin of the deceased.
ALSO READ: Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede Update: Death Toll At 19, Organisers Among 7 Arrested; SIT Probe Ordered
8 passengers died in Kota, Rajasthan
A major accident occurred on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Kota, Rajasthan, early Saturday morning when a passenger carrying pilgrims to Khatu Shyam plunged into a 15-foot-deep ravine near Karadia in Kota district.
Eight passengers died, and 17 others were seriously injured. Rescue operations were delayed due to darkness. The injured were rescued with great difficulty by breaking a window.
ALSO READ: Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Accident: 8 Killed, 6 Injured After Bus Falls Into Ditch In Rajasthan's Kota
Engineering student dies of arch collapse
A female engineering student died while 14 others suffered injuries after an arch on which lighting was arranged crashed during a Dandiya event at an engineering college in Hyderabad on Saturday, police said.
The arch fell due to wind, resulting in serious injuries to her. She was rushed to a nearby private hospital but succumbed during treatment.
Police said 14 others sustained injuries in the incident, but they were out of danger.
Three killed in UP's Balrampur
In another fatal incident, a speeding car ran over devotees, who were watching a video on screen outside a Durga puja pandal in Uttar Pradesh's Balrampur district, killing three people and injuring four others, police said on Sunday.
Balrampur Superintendent of Police Martand Prakash Singh said that the incident occurred late on Saturday night in Chirgahiyan Belha village.
The SSP added that the car was heading towards Siddharthnagar before running over them.