Twelve pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh died in an accident in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district on Tuesday after their vehicle collided with a truck on the Bikaner-Jodhpur Highway, PTI reported.
They were returning from the Ramdevra Temple near Pokhran.
While eight passengers died on the spot, four died on the way to the hospital. Six pilgrims were injured in the accident.
The pilgrims were from Sajjan Kheda and Daulatpur villages in Madhya Pradesh, according to the Hindustan Times.
Lalchand Meena, station house officer of the Shri Balaji police station in Nagaur, said that officials were still ascertaining details about the deceased.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the families of the deceased. He also approved ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the relatives of the deceased. The injured will be paid Rs 50,000.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Congress leader Sachin Pilot and several other leaders also offered their condolences.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!