13 dead as buses catch fire on Delhi-Agra Expressway after collision due to fog
Several buses caught fire on the Delhi-Agra Expressway in Mathura on Tuesday morning. Many people are feared dead. As per initial reports, the incident took place after several vehicles collided due to fog.
New Delhi: At least 13 people were killed and several others injured after multiple buses caught fire on the Delhi-Agra Expressway (Yamuna Expressway) near Mathura on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred after several vehicles collided due to dense fog. Following the incident, the rescue and relief team and ambulances, alongwith a fire brigade team, were pressed into service.
According to officials, the multi-vehicle collision happened due to low visibility caused by dense fog engulfing the area. Several vehicles, including seven buses and three cars, caught fire after the accident, triggering panic among the passengers, they said. The injured people were rushed to the hospital.
PM Modi announces Rs 2 lac compensation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the Yamuna Expressway mishap and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and
"The loss of lives due to a mishap on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, is extremely painful. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the Prime Minister's Office said on X.
Low visibility led to accident
Speaking to reporters, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shlok Kumar earlier today said that efforts are underway to clear the blocked highway and transport the stranded passengers to their respective destinations. The senior police officer also said that as soon as they received information about the incident, teams from the fire service, local police, and local administration were dispatched to the scene.
"Due to low visibility early morning, seven buses and three cars collided around 4.30 am on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura. The vehicles caught fire due to the collision. As you can observe, it is still foggy here. The rescue operation is almost concluded," the SSP said.
Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for deceased's family
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate (DM) of Mathura, Chandra Prakash Singh, shared details regarding the rescue and relief efforts while calling the incident "very unfortunate". The DM said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed senior officials to reach the spot and take stock of the situation. He also said that the CM has announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the kin of the deceased.
"The Chief Minister immediately took note of the incident and dispatched us to the scene for rescue operations. He has directed that the injured be given the best possible treatment and that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each be given to the families of those who lost their lives... He has also instructed that vehicles be driven at a reduced speed in conditions of low visibility to avoid such incidents in the future," he added.
The DM further said that the cause of the incident multi-vehicle collision, would be investigated later, but the current priority is relief work and ensuring the injured receive the best possible treatment. "This incident is tragic. As one can see, there is heavy fog and low visibility here. The cause of the accident will be investigated later; for now, our primary focus is on the relief operations," he said.