Raipur/Kawardha,CG: A pickup vehicle carrying about 25 tribals overturned and fell into a 20-feet deep ditch, leaving 19 dead out of which 18 are women and one man in a road accident which took place in Kawardha of Chhattisgarh at around 2.30 pm on Monday.

The accident took place near Bahpani village in Kawardha area when the tribals were returning home after plucking tendu leaves. The impact of the accident was so severe that 13 of the victims died on the spot. All these people were residents of Semhara village.

President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the accident. The President tweeted, “Tthe news of death of many people in a road accident in Kabirdham district of Chhattisgarh is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this accident. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured people.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted and said, the road accident in Kawardha, Chhattisgarh is extremely painful. “My condolences to those who lost their loved ones in this accident. Along with this, I wish speedy recovery of all the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in providing all possible help to the victims,” he stated.

Chhattisgarh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan expressed condolences over the death of tribals of Kawardha district. The Governor said prayers to Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath for the salvation of the deceased and to provide patience to their families in this difficult situation and for the speedy recovery of the injured labourers.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the death toll in the accident. In a post in Hindi on X, he said (roughly translated to), "Sad news is being received about the death of 18 villagers and injury of 4 due to the overturning of a pickup near Bahpani village under Kukdur police station area of Kabirdham district. Necessary instructions for better treatment of the injured have been given to the district administration. I pray to God for peace to the departed souls and express my deepest condolences to their families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and other political leaders have expressed their condolences to the grieving family.

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma said the government will consider the assistance to be given. He said the reason for the incident is brake failure of the vehicle, which is unfortunate. He was interacting with the media on his visit to Pandariya where the maximum family resides.

“A total of 25 people were traveling in the pickup vehicle. A total of 19 people have died in the accident. 13 people died on the spot. While five injured people died during treatment. Among the dead, there were 18 women and one man”, said Abhishek Pallav, SP, Kawardha.

Local people had informed the police about the incident. With the help of the police team and local people, the injured people were taken to the hospital. Meanwhile, the bodies of the injured have been sent for post-mortem. Information was passed on to the family members and relatives of the victims.

Earlier, a serious road accident had happened in Kumhari police station area of Durg on April 9th. The bus carrying employees from Kedia Company in the Kumhari police station area went out of control and overturned, falling into a 25 feet deep ditch. Over 13 people died in the accident while 17 people were injured.