Tragedy in Gonda: Canal Accident Claims 12 Lives

In a heartbreaking incident, an SUV carrying devotees plunged into Uttar Pradesh's Saryu canal near Gonda, claiming 12 lives, including nine from one family. The tragedy unfolded on Sunday as the group traveled to the Prithvinath Temple in Khargupur when the vehicle skidded on a rain-soaked road and submerged.

While rescuers recovered eleven bodies initially, the body of a seven-year-old, Rachna, was found the following day in the Manakpur area. Survivors included Pinky, who bravely recounted the chaos. State Disaster Response Force and local divers scrambled to search, led by Superintendent of Police Vineet Jailswal.

Prahlad Gupta, who lost multiple family members, survived as he was not in the SUV. The SUV driver, Sita Sharan, and other survivors are under medical care. An emotional Pinky had appealed for assistance in finding her missing sister. Eyewitnesses cited the slippery road as a factor in the tragic accident.

(With inputs from agencies.)