Koppal, May 15 -- Seven people, among them a one-year-old boy, were killed and 12 others injured after a lorry collided with a tractor near a bridge in Koppal district on Friday, police said.
The impact caused the tractor to lose control and plunge off the bridge, resulting in the casualties, they said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased on humanitarian grounds.
Taking to X, the CM said he was deeply saddened to learn about the tragic incident in which a tractor carrying devotees to the Huligemma temple fell from the Tungabhadra bridge, resulting in the loss of lives, including children.
"I pray that the departed souls attain eternal peace and wish those injured in the accident a speedy recovery as they undergo treatment," he said.
The CM said he had spoken to MP Tukaram regarding the accident and obtained details of the incident.
"All the deceased belonged to poor families, and these deaths have pushed them into further hardship. In this context, compensation of Rs 5 lakh each will be provided to the bereaved families on humanitarian grounds," he added.
The accident occurred on the Tungabhadra bridge under the jurisdiction of Munirabad police station.
The victims were residents of Yashwanth Nagar in Sandur taluk and Marlayanahalli village in Kudligi taluk, they added.
According to police, the tractor carrying 19 passengers was headed to the Huligemma temple when the accident took place.
Citing preliminary findings, Koppal Superintendent of Police Ram L Arasiddi said the lorry allegedly rammed the tractor, causing it to veer off the bridge.
Six passengers died on the spot, while 12 others sustained injuries. Later, one more person succumbed to injuries, taking the death toll to seven, he said. The injured are undergoing treatment at various hospitals. Further investigation is underway.
Congress MP E Tukaram also visited the hospital where the injured were being treated.
BJP state president B Y Vijayendra termed the accident "horrific" and urged the state government to provide assistance and the best possible treatment to the injured.
"The fact that poor daily wage labourers have become victims of this tragedy has intensified the pain even further. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased," he said in a post on X.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.