20 Kanwar Pilgrims Injured As Tractor-Trolley Falls From Bridge In Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar

At least 20 Kanwar pilgrims were injured, several of them seriously, after a tractor-trolley carrying devotees fell from a bridge in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district on Monday, police said. The pilgrims were travelling to the Narmada River to collect water as part of the Kanwar Yatra.

The accident occurred on a bridge around a kilometre from Kadmal village, under the Nisarpur police outpost of Kukshi police station. The devotees were reportedly heading towards Old Chikhalda on the fourth and final Monday of the holy Sawan month.

Tractor Falls From Bridge After Steering Failure

According to police, the tractor’s steering allegedly failed while the vehicle was crossing the bridge. The driver lost control, causing the tractor-trolley to plunge from the bridge.

Around 30 devotees were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident, police said.

Locals rushed to the spot after hearing about the crash and joined police personnel in the rescue operation. The injured were pulled out and taken to hospital after receiving first aid at the scene.

A police officer said a team immediately reached the location after receiving information about the accident and coordinated with local residents to rescue those trapped in the tractor-trolley.

Several Injured In Critical Condition

The injured were taken to Barwani District Hospital for treatment.

Dr S.N. Patidar of the hospital told IANS that around 20 people from Dhar had been admitted following the accident. He said six to seven patients were in critical condition.

The injured reportedly suffered wounds to their heads, waist, arms and abdomen. Some of the seriously injured were referred to Indore for advanced medical treatment.

Two devotees in critical condition were among those shifted to Indore, according to police.

Probe Underway

Police said an investigation has been launched to establish the exact circumstances that led to the crash.

Officials are examining the alleged steering failure and other possible factors that may have contributed to the tractor-trolley losing control and falling from the bridge.

The injured devotees were part of the Kanwar Yatra and had been travelling to the Narmada River to collect water as part of the religious pilgrimage.