18 die as bus crashes into milk tanker in Unnao, PM announces Rs.2 lakh ex-gratia

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for next of the kin of 18 people killed in the crash between a Delhi-bound double-decker and a milk tanker in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao on Wednesday. The injured will get Rs 50,000 each from PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

The accident took place on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway. Residents of the nearby Garha village helped police in the rescue operation and the injured were later admitted to a Community Health Centre in Bangarmau, according to reports.

Unnano District Magistrate Gaurang Rathi told the media that initial investigation revealed that the bus was perhaps overspeeding. “Today at around 5.15 am, a private bus coming from Motihari, Bihar collided with a milk tanker. 18 people have lost their lives and 19 others are injured in the accident. After the initial investigation, it looks like the bus was overspeeding. The injured are getting treatment…”

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the bereaved families and directed the officials to expedite the relief work. “The loss of life in a road accident in Unnao district is unfortunate and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families. District administration officials have been instructed to reach the spot and speed up the relief work. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed souls in his feet and provide speedy recovery to the injured,” the CM wrote on X.