A cold wave has intensified winter conditions across Uttar Pradesh, with dense fog enveloping more than 30 districts since early Sunday morning.
Visibility dropped to as low as 20 metres at several places, severely affecting road traffic. Vehicles were seen moving slowly with headlights on. However, despite precautions, poor visibility led to multiple road accidents across the state.
According to reports, at least six major road accidents occurred due to fog, involving around 22 vehicles. Seven people, including two businessmen, lost their lives, while at least 10 others were injured.
On the Meerut–Delhi Expressway in Ghaziabad, a massive pile-up involving 12 vehicles occurred due to low visibility. The accident began when two cars collided, after which 10 more vehicles rammed into them one after another. Several people sustained minor injuries. Police reached the spot and cleared the traffic.
On the Lucknow–Agra Expressway in Unnao, a bus rammed into a container from behind in dense fog near the Behta Mujawar police station area. The bus driver died on the spot, while the conductor and three passengers were injured. More than 20 passengers were on board the bus and narrowly escaped serious harm.
On the Bareilly Highway in Mathura, four vehicles collided after a truck was reportedly standing on the highway. A car first hit the truck, followed by three more vehicles crashing into it. Four people were injured in the accident. A video of the incident has surfaced, showing a young man trapped inside a car, who was later rescued by locals.
In another incident, a speeding car lost control and crashed into a tree in the Jahanaganj police station area of Azamgarh. Two businessmen from Ghazipur were killed, while one person was injured and is undergoing treatment. The victims were returning home after purchasing warm clothes from Khalilabad in Sant Kabir Nagar. Police had to cut open the car to retrieve the bodies.
On the Moradabad Highway in Badaun, a loader vehicle overturned due to foggy conditions. The driver narrowly escaped unhurt.
Meanwhile, on the Bundelkhand Expressway, a bus and a Bolero vehicle collided head-on in dense fog. Four people travelling in the Bolero died on the spot, while three others were seriously injured.