Delhi-Agra Expressway accident: Death count rises to 13 after multiple vehicle collision, fire in Mathura
Several buses caught fire on Delhi-Agra Expressway, killing thirteen people. The incident comes a day after dense fog reduced visibility on many highways across north India.
At least thirteen people died and 60 are injured after several vehicles caught fire on the Delhi–Agra Expressway in Mathura early Tuesday due to dense fog. The accident happened after seven buses and three cars collided with each other, leading to a massive fire. A local villager said that the injured were taken to hospitals using nearly 20 ambulances. The accident took place at around 4:00 am near Milestone 127 in the Baldev police station area. Senior officials, including the DM and SP, reached the spot soon after the incident. Rescue operations are ongoing. Teams from the police, fire department, NHAI, and SDRF are working to put out the fire.
An eyewitness said, "An accident took place and nearly 3-4 buses caught fire... I was sleeping when the accident occurred. The bus was fully occupied. All the seats were full. The accident occurred around 4 am."
PM Modi, UP CM Yogi announce ex-gratia
PM Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs. 50,000 for the injured, in the accident. PMO tweets, "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."
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Dense fog across North India
The incident comes a day after dense fog reduced visibility on many highways across north India, leading to multiple serious accidents. On Monday, a major accident occurred on Highway 152D, also known as the Trans-Haryana Expressway, near Kharkara village in Rohtak district. Due to poor visibility caused by dense fog, several vehicles including trucks, buses, and cars collided with each other. At least two people were killed and 25 others were injured in the accident.
Bus-truck collision in Jhajjar
Another accident was reported on Rewari Road in Jhajjar. A bus collided with a truck between Kulana and Gurawada villages because the driver could not see the stationary truck due to fog. The bus driver was seriously injured.
The bus was carrying around 50 passengers and was traveling from Khatu Shyam in Rajasthan to Bahadurgarh in Haryana. Several passengers suffered minor injuries. The injured driver was referred to PGI Jhajjar for treatment.
Earlier accident on Agra–Lucknow expressway
About a month ago, a double-decker sleeper bus traveling from Delhi to Bihar overturned on the Agra–Lucknow Expressway in Kanpur’s Arauli area. The bus hit the central divider at high speed and flipped over, killing three people and injuring several others. The accident scene was chaotic, with broken glass, scattered luggage, and injured passengers crying for help.