Tragedy in Uttar Pradesh: 11 Killed as Bolero Plunges into Canal Near Saryu Bridge

National News: A heart-wrenching accident occurred on Sunday morning in Gonda district, leaving the entire area in shock. A Bolero carrying devotees on their way to Prithvinath temple veered out of control and fell into the Saryu canal. According to officials, the vehicle was carrying 16 passengers. So far, 11 people have died, four have been rescued alive, and search teams are still looking for one missing individual.

How the tragedy unfolded

Early Sunday, Prahlad Gupta, a resident of Sihagaon village under the Motiganj police station, left for the Prithvinath temple with his relatives and friends in a Bolero. The journey turned tragic when the Bolero reached the Saryu Canal bridge near Rehra village on the Parasarai–Alaval Deoria road. Witnesses reported that the vehicle was moving at high speed when the driver lost control on a sharp curve. The Bolero smashed through the bridge railing and plunged into the canal below.

Screams for help, villagers rushed to rescue

As the vehicle submerged, passengers cried for help. Villagers living nearby ran to the scene—some threw ropes, while a few jumped into the water to pull people out. By the time the police and NDRF teams arrived, many had already drowned.

Itiyathok police station in-charge K.G. Rao said, “Initially, we believed there were 15 people in the Bolero, with 11 found dead and four rescued. Later, a surviving girl revealed there were actually 16 people on board, raising concerns that another body may still be in the canal.”

Lives lost in the crash

Most victims were women and children. Authorities have released the list of the deceased: Beena, Kajal, Mehak, Durgesh, Nandini, Ankit, Shubh, Sanju Verma, Anju, Ansuiya, and Saumya.

The survivors

Thanks to the quick response of locals and emergency teams, driver Sitasaran, along with Ramlakhan, Pinky Kasaudhan, and Abhishek, was rescued alive. All four are undergoing treatment at Babu Ishwarsharan Hospital.

Search continues for one missing person

The NDRF team has deployed divers and drones to scour the canal. Officials say the strong current and water depth are slowing the operation, but the search will not stop until everyone is accounted for.

Officials rush to the spot

Hearing of the tragedy, Devipatan Division Commissioner Shashi Bhushan Lal Sushil and IG Amit Pathak reached the location and directed teams to intensify rescue efforts.

SP Vineet Jaiswal and Acting DM Ankita Jain were also present. Jain later visited Babu Ishwarsharan Hospital to check on the injured and review medical arrangements.

Shock and sorrow in the village

The village of Sihagaon and nearby areas are engulfed in grief. Many of the deceased were relatives or close friends, leaving families devastated. One villager said, “Every year during Sawan, they went to the Prithvinath temple together. No one imagined this trip would end in such heartbreak.”