At least 10 people died and many were injured when a speeding mini-truck rammed into a group of 250 pilgrims on a trek in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district on Friday morning. The pilgrims were on their way to the Purnagiri temple in Uttarakhand, PTI reported.
More than 21 people have been admitted to nearby hospitals, and five of them are in a critical condition, according to IANS. The Army is assisting with rescue and relief operations.
The accident occurred around 5 am at Bichai, said Tanakpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Anil Chanyal. Officials are searching for the driver of the mini-truck, who subsequently went missing.
“Those seriously injured have been referred to Khatima hospital while the rest of the injured are being treated at Tanakpur Hospital,” Chanyal told PTI. The pilgrims were going to the hilltop temple barefoot as part of some prayers.
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