Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed deep sorrow over the tragic road accident in Karnataka’s Hassan district, describing the incident as “heart-rending.”
In a statement on handle X, the Prime Minister said, “The mishap in Hassan, Karnataka, is heart-rending. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those who have been injured recover at the earliest.”
As many as eight people lost their lives and 25 others were injured when a speeding truck lost control and rammed into a procession of devotees participating in a Ganesh idol immersion ceremony in Karnataka’s Hassan district on Friday.
The incident occurred on National Highway-373, reportedly when the truck driver was attempting to avoid a bike coming from the opposite direction on the road. The driver, who sustained injuries, has been taken into custody, reports said.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased. Additionally, those injured in the mishap would receive Rs 50,000 each as immediate assistance.