Bengaluru: 9 people, including 3 children, killed in jeep-truck accident in Tumakuru

Bengaluru, Aug 25: Nine persons, including three children, were killed and 15 people injured after a cruiser jeep collided with a truck on the National Highway in Tumakuru, near Bengaluru on Thursday, ANI reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces Rs 2 lakhs each from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. "The accident in Tumakuru district, Karnataka is heart-rending. Condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers with the injured. Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be paid to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be paid Rs. 50,000," a statement from his office said.

The incident happened at about 4.30 am when a lorry hit a passenger vehicle.

The deceased are said to be daily wage workers from various parts of Raichur district and were on their way to Bengaluru, sources said.

As per the reports, the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

"They left in a cruiser at 1 PM yesterday...around 4.30 AM today when their vehicle overtook the lorry, the lorry hit the vehicle from behind leading to it toppling and hitting the divider. Nine people have died on the spot and remaining 15 have been shifted to district hospital for treatment, out of then two serious cases have been sent to NIMHANS in Bengaluru," Tumakuru Deputy Commissioner Y S Patil said.

President Droupadi Murmu in a tweet said, "The loss of lives, including that of children and women, in a road accident in Tumakuru, Karnakata is extremely unfortunate. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Expressing grief over the death of nine persons, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, "may their soul rest in peace and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured."

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, who is also Tumakuru district in-charge, in a statement said he has spoken to the district Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police and had instructed them to see to it that necessary treatment is provided to the injured.