34 people killed as lorry rolls down into ditch

Hassan, May 29 (UNI) At least 34 people, mostly women and children, were killed and 15 injured when a lorry carrying more than 100 people of a marriage party rolled over and fell into a 50-foot-deep ditch near Agrahara village in Hassan district of Karnataka today.

The tragedy occurred when the lorry driver tried to reverse the vehicle on the narrow tank bund road after seeing a high tension line lying low across the road.

Confirming 34 deaths, Deputy Commissioner Anjum Parvez, speaking to UNI from the accident spot, said the lorry skidded and rolled over three times before falling into the five-foot-deep ditch on the edge of the Agrahara lake.

Five among the injured were in serious condition. They were admitted to Hassan General hospital, the Deputy Commissioner said.

The dead, included about 25 women and children.

Many of the victims were crushed to death as the lorry rolled down with great force while others died due to the impact of the accident.

The lorry was carrying the marriage party for a feast after the wedding ceremony was celebrated yesterday.

The victims belonged to Basavanahalli Koppal village and they were proceeding to Agrahara village in Arakalagud taluk under Konanur police limits.

Superintendent of Police Sharat Chandra and a relief team, including doctors and para medical staffs have rushed to the spot from Hassan with medical assistance.

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