Daijiworld Media Network - Gonda

Gonda, Aug 3: In a tragic accident, an SUV carrying 15 passengers plunged into the Saryu canal in Gonda district on Sunday, resulting in the death of 11 people, while four others were critically injured.

According to Krishn Gopal Rai, Station House Officer of Itiathok police station, the victims were on their way from Sihagaon village to offer holy water at the Prithvinath Temple in Khargupur when the vehicle veered off near Belwa Bahuta and fell into the canal.

With help from villagers and rescue teams, the submerged SUV was retrieved and 11 bodies were recovered. The four injured passengers were pulled out alive and rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

The bodies have been sent for postmortem and an investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of the accident, police said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lac each for the families of the deceased.