Rajgarh (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 10 (ANI): Nine members of the same family, including three women and three children, died on Monday after the Omni van they were travelling in was swept away by strong currents in a swollen stream in the Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh.
Two individuals were rescued by residents, and search operations for an 11th person remain underway.
The victims, residents of Satwas in Dewas, were journeying toward a shrine in Kalawat to offer prayers when the tragedy occurred. According to Sarangpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Rohit Bamhore, heavy overnight rains had caused waterlogging across 40 to 45 villages. Around 9:00 AM, authorities received word that a vehicle had fallen off a bridge in Padna village.
“Regarding the incident that occurred, a total of 11 people were involved; two of them were rescued. The bodies of nine people have been recovered; among the deceased are three children and three women. Regarding financial assistance, as the CM has tweeted and in accordance with the directives issued by the collector yesterday, financial aid of Rs 6 lakh is being provided… They were residents of Satwas, Devas. They were travelling to a shrine in Kalawat for worship… Two people were rescued by residents,” Bamhore told ANI.
Despite urgent warnings from locals who strongly cautioned the driver against attempting to cross the overflowing bridge, the driver drove negligently, causing the vehicle to plunge off the structure.
Local administration and rescue teams launched immediate operations at the site. Highlighting financial support for the grieving family, SDM Bamhore noted that financial aid of Rs 6 lakh is being provided in accordance with directives issued by the Chief Minister and the collector.
Providing details on the sequence of events, Sarangpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Rohit Bamhore stated that residents had strongly cautioned the driver against attempting to cross the flooded structure.
He said, “Heavy rain had been lashing the area since last night, causing waterlogging in 40-45 villages. Around 9 AM, we received a message that a vehicle had fallen off a bridge in Padna village. We rushed to the scene immediately; the SDM was also present.”
According to the SDM, the driver ignored urgent appeals from villagers not to risk crossing the overflowing bridge in Padna village.
“Locals reported that water was flowing over the bridge and the driver had been strongly advised against attempting to cross. Despite this, he drove negligently, and the vehicle plunged off the bridge,” SDM added.
SDM Rohit Bamhore further informed that the victims were journeying from Satwas in Dewas to offer prayers at a shrine and they belonged to the same family; however, two were rescued immediately.
“There were 11 people inside; two were rescued immediately, and so far, the bodies of eight others have been recovered, with one more being searched… They were all from Satwas, Dewas. All 11 people belonged to the same family, and the vehicle was registered in the name of Mukesh Chauhan, who was driving it… There were two children and three women among them whose bodies have been recovered,” SDM Rohit Bamhore said. (ANI)
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