GONDA: An SUV carrying 15 people fell into the Saryu Canal near Belwa Bahuta on Sunday, killing 11 and leaving four critically injured, police said.
The victims, all residents of Sihagwan village in Gonda district, were identified as Beena (35), Kajal (22), Mehak (12), Durgesh, Nandini, Ankit, Shubh, Sanju Verma, Anju, Anasuiya, and Soumya.
According to Station House Officer (SHO) Krishn Gopal Rai of Itiathok Police Station, the group was en route to offer holy water at Prithvinath Temple in Khargupur when the accident occurred.
Local sources said the overloaded SUV lost control and slid into the canal. Hearing the passengers' screams, villagers rushed to the scene and attempted a rescue. Within minutes, more locals and police teams arrived and began efforts to pull out the occupants.
However, the SUV's doors were jammed, trapping those inside. Villagers broke the windows to extract the passengers, and CPR was administered on the spot. Despite these efforts, 11 could not be revived, while four regained consciousness and were hospitalized.
The vehicle remained submerged as nearly 100 police personnel from three stations worked to retrieve it.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences and announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for each victim’s family. He also directed officials to expedite relief efforts and ensure proper medical care for the injured.