New Delhi, 11 September (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a road accident in Maharashtra’s Nanded district and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each person who died in the accident. The injured will receive Rs 50,000 each.

The accident occurred at around 7 pm on Thursday, September 10, near Sitakhandi Ghat on the Nanded-Bhokar road. According to police, a passenger van travelling from Nanded towards Bhokar collided head-on with a truck.

At least six people were killed and eight others were critically injured in the crash. The collision severely damaged the van, trapping several passengers inside. Local residents rushed to the site and helped rescue those trapped in the wreckage. The injured were subsequently taken to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.

Prime Minister Modi conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. The ex-gratia assistance from the PMNRF is aimed at providing immediate financial support to the affected families.

Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. Officials are examining the factors that may have contributed to the accident, while further details are awaited.

The accident took place on Thursday, coinciding with the Pola festival, and caused panic in the area as rescue teams and police personnel rushed to the spot.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar