Jaipur: Eight people, including six women and two minors, were killed and 26 others injured when a tractor-trolley fell into a gorge in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district on Monday. The incident took place in the evening when the victims were returning from a hilltop temple. Jhunjhunu Additional Superintendent of Police Tejpal Singh said that all the injured have been admitted to various hospitals in Jhunjhunu and Sikar districts.
Jhunjhunu Collector Khushal Yadav said that as per the latest information, a total of 34 victims were admitted to hospitals and eight of them died.
The dead included six women and two minors, while many of the survivors were men, he said. Police said the victims were returning from the Mansa Mata temple, where a religious program was going on, when the incident took place at a distance of about one km from the temple. It appears that the driver lost control of the tractor trolley after which it hit a pole and fell into a gorge, he said.
PM Modi expressed displeasure, announced compensation
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the accident and announced compensation. “Tractor accident victims in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. Condolences to the bereaved families and wishing speedy recovery to the injured. Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs 50,000 will be given to the injured, the PMO tweeted quoting him.
Distressed by the tractor accident in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. Condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for speedy recovery of the injured. Ex-gratia amount of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 29, 2023
Police said that a search operation is underway to find any survivors at the accident site. As soon as the information about the accident was received, State Minister Rajendra Singh Gudha also reached CHC Udaipurvati and took information about the matter from the officials and local people.