Surat: Speeding truck mows down 15 sleeping migrant labourers, PM Modi expresses grief
At least 15 migrant labourers were killed in the Surat district of Gujarat on Tuesday after being crushed by a truck. The accused driver has been arrested by the police.
The tragedy took place early in the morning near Kosamba village, around 60 km from Surat. The truck ran over them on the Kim-Mandvi road. The truck driver lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road, onto the footpath, running over 18 people who were sleeping there.
While 12 persons died on the spot, three of the eight injured died in a nearby hospital
"All the deceased are labourers and they hail from Rajasthan," the local police said, adding that a case has been registered against the accused.
PM Modi expresses grief
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his grief over the tragic road accident. He took to his Twitter handle and wrote, "The loss of lives due to a truck accident in Surat is tragic. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover at the earliest."
The government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs each from PMNRF (Prime Minister's National Relief Fund) to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the accident in Surat. Rs 50,000 each would be given to those injured.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs each to the next of the kin of those who lost their lives in the accident in Surat.
(With PTI inputs)
