Punjab Road Accident: Nine MGNREGA workers were killed, and several others were seriously injured on Sunday when a speeding car ran over them down on the Lehragaga-Jakhal Road in Punjab's Sangrur district, news agency ANI reported.
The tragic accident occurred while the victims were engaged in roadwork under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme, killing five on the spot. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for immediate treatment.
Speaking to news agency ANI, an injured person said, "We were sitting on the road and drinking water...A car rammed into us...Some people died in the accident."
Driver Identified; Local Residents Raise Alarm Over Emergency Response
The vehicle involved in the incident has been identified as a Chevrolet Magnum bearing registration number PB11 CP 0080, driven by Pargat Singh Kala, a resident of Raidhrana, India Today reported.
The incident sparked anger among local residents, who raised questions over delays in police assistance and the availability of emergency medical services at the scene.
Expressing deep grief over the incident, Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
Gwalior Temple Truck Crash
In a separate incident, at least 15 people were killed and several others injured after a speeding truck crashed into a group of devotees near the Sheetla Mata Mandir in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district early Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 1:30 AM on a road from Chhinaur, where a large number of pilgrims had gathered to visit the temple during Navratri.
ALSO READ: Maharashtra: 5 Pilgrims Killed After Car Heading To Tuljapur Collides With Bus In Beed
According to Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmveer Singh, heavy vehicles are prohibited on the Chhinaur road due to its steep slope. However, a truck loaded with paddy broke through a police barricade, lost control while travelling down the slope, and struck devotees on the road and roadside shops before crashing into the temple's outer wall and main gate.
(With Inputs From PTI)