A horrific multi-vehicle collision followed by a massive fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district has resulted in a tragic loss of life and numerous injuries. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, involved a chain-reaction crash of 18 to 19 vehicles, including eight passenger buses, cars, and SUVs.
Sequence of a Nightmare: Collision, Pile-Up, and Blast
The catastrophe unfolded around 3:40 am near milestone 127 under the jurisdiction of the Baldeo police station. According to initial reports, a bus and a car collided on the expressway, which was heavily shrouded in fog. With visibility nearly zero, several other vehicles approaching from the Agra direction failed to see the wreckage in time and crashed into it, creating a massive pile-up.
Most passengers on the buses were asleep when the disaster struck. The situation turned catastrophic when a loud explosion tore through the night. Witnesses believe a CNG tank on one of the buses burst, engulfing multiple vehicles in a raging inferno that proved fatal for many trapped inside.
Eyewitness Account and Rescue Efforts
Prashant Singh, a passenger on a private bus traveling from Lucknow to Delhi, provided a chilling account. "I was in deep slumber when suddenly I woke up hearing people shouting and trying to deboard," he recounted. "Though I managed to get down, I saw there was a long line of mangled vehicles. Soon there was a blast. We started pulling people out of our bus and stood at a safe distance. But after a point, there wasn't much we could do."
The fire was so intense that it charred many victims beyond recognition. So far, only three of the thirteen deceased have been identified: Akhilendra Pratap Yadav (44) from Prayagraj, Rampal (75) from Maharajganj, and Sultan Ahmed (62) from Gonda. Authorities have initiated DNA sampling processes to identify the remaining victims.
Official Response and Investigation
Authorities have swiftly responded to the tragedy. A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the causes of the accident. This committee includes the Agra divisional commissioner Shailendra Singh, ADM city, SP rural, PWD engineers, an RTO official, and representatives from JP Infratech and the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA). They have been tasked with submitting a report within 48 hours.
"We will look into the causes behind the accident and measures to prevent such tragedies in the future," stated Agra divisional commissioner Shailendra Singh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed their deep condolences to the families of the victims. The UP government announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for each injured person. An additional ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be provided to the families of the deceased from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
