An unfortunate accident on the Budaun-Meerut state highway in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, India, resulted in 11 laborers losing their lives and 26 others getting injured on Sunday, August 18, 2024. The laborers were returning home for the Raksha Bandhan festival when their pickup van collided with a bus in the Salempur region, about 8.7 miles from Bulandshahr’s district headquarters.
All the victims were employed by the Britannia company and were en route to their home village in Aligarh. The group, which included men, women, and children, had boarded the van from various locations, including Dadri, anticipating the joy of celebrating the festival with their families.
“Ten people were killed and 27 injured when a pickup van traveling from Ghaziabad to Sambhal collided with a private bus,” relayed District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh. One more person succumbed to their injuries later. The accident was of such magnitude that the van was completely destroyed, and the bus was significantly damaged at the front.
Emergency services were immediately activated, and the injured were rushed to local hospitals in Bulandshahr, Meerut, and Aligarh.
The crash site was a scene of confusion and distress, with locals rushing to help the victims before the arrival of the authorities. Images and videos shared on social media platforms depicted the severity of the incident, drawing attention to the need for improved road safety in the area. Bulandshahr SSP, Shlok Kumar, later confirmed that all those who died in the accident were men, while the injured included women and children.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his sympathy for the victims’ families and instructed relevant authorities to ensure comprehensive medical treatment for the injured. The state government also announced financial assistance for the victims’ families, offering approximately $2,400 for the families of the deceased and about $600 for the injured.
Initial investigations indicate that both vehicles involved in the accident had up-to-date fitness documents. However, the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. There are local speculations that the bus driver might have fallen asleep, leading to the collision. The authorities have vowed to take strict action against those found responsible once the investigation is concluded.
The accident cast a gloomy shadow over the Raksha Bandhan festival, typically a time for joyous family reunions and celebrations. Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi, is a traditional Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between siblings. It usually falls on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana, typically in August.
The festival involves sisters tying a protective thread, or “rakhi,” around their brothers’ wrists, symbolizing their love and prayers for their brothers’ health and happiness. In return, the brothers promise to protect their sisters throughout their lives. The ceremony often includes the exchange of gifts and sweets, and performing a traditional aarti, which involves waving lighted candles or lamps in front of Hindu deities.
Raksha Bandhan emphasizes the bond and mutual care between siblings. Although traditionally celebrated among biological siblings, the festival has expanded to include close friends and extended family members, highlighting the broader spirit of love and protection.