At least 23 people were killed in the Kasganj district of Uttar Pradesh after a tractor-trolley carrying villagers fell into a pond. The villagers, comprising mostly women and children, were on their way to the Ganges for a holy bath on the auspicious occasion of Magh Purnima.

Confirming the grim toll, IG of Aligarh range, Shalabh Mathur, reported that the accident resulted in the loss of 23 lives, including eight children and seven women. According to Mathur, the driver of the tractor lost control while attempting to avoid a collision with a car on the road.

The tractor trolley, carrying the villagers, overturned into the pond, which was filled with mud-laden water.

The survivors have been rushed to the district hospital in Kasganj.

Expressing profound sorrow over the incident, chief minister Yogi Adityanath extended his condolences to the families of the victims. He announced ex gratia of 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and fifty thousand for the injured.

The chief minister directed officials in Kasganj district to ensure the prompt and adequate treatment of those injured in the accident. He also ordered a swift response in terms of rescue operations and urged officials to mobilise resources for immediate assistance at the site which comes under the Patiali police station in Kasganj district.