KOLKATA: In a tragic accident, at least 18 persons, including five of a family, were killed and five
received injuries when a van, in which they were travelling, rammed into a stationary truck in West Bengal’s Nadia district. According to police, the victims and injured were on their way to a crematorium to cremate a body.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home minister Amit Shah, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have condoled the loss of lives. “The deceased were from Bagda in the North 24 Parganas and they were going to a crematorium in Nabadwip in Nadia. The mishap around 3 am on Sunday apparently occurred because of dense fog.
Twelve of the victims was declared dead on arrival to a state-run hospital while other six succumbed to their injuries later,’’ said a police officer. The matador van ferrying 35 persons rammed into another stone-laden truck parked on the side of the road, said the officer.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee promised to provide necessary assistance to the families of the victims. ‘’Heartbroken to hear about the road accident in Nadia. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families,’’ said a tweet from the CM.