Ludhiana canal tragedy: 6 killed, several missing after overloaded truck plunges in

Chandigarh: Ludhiana, Punjab: At least six pilgrims, including two children, were tragically killed, and five others remain missing after an overloaded mini-truck plunged into the swollen Sirhind canal in Punjab's Ludhiana district on Sunday night. The devastating accident occurred near the Jagera bridge on the Malerkotla road, close to Dehlon village.

The mini-truck, carrying approximately 25 people, was returning to their village, Manakwal, after the pilgrims had paid obeisance at the famed hilltop Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district. According to survivors, the accident was caused by an attempt to overtake another vehicle. The driver reportedly lost control, causing the mini-truck to overturn and fall into the canal. Village Sarpanch Kesar Singh confirmed that the group had departed for Naina Devi on July 26 in the pick-up vehicle.

Authorities launched a search and rescue operation immediately, with divers deployed on Monday morning to locate the missing and retrieve bodies from the canal. Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, Senior Superintendent of Police Jyoti Yadav, and local legislator Manvinder Singh Giaspura were among the officials who arrived at the scene to oversee the efforts.

Police confirmed that most of the pilgrims were rescued and admitted to nearby hospitals. Superintendent of Police Jyoti Yadav stated that six individuals died in the mishap, while others are currently receiving treatment. Deputy Commissioner Jain further specified that the deceased included two children, three women, and one man. Injured individuals were referred to hospitals in Ahmedgarh Mandi, Ludhiana, and Khanna for medical attention.

With inputs from IANS