Tanker collision near Munirabad leaves several injured, death toll may rise
Koppal: At least six people, including a child, were killed and several others suffered serious injuries after a tractor reportedly fell off the Tungabhadra bridge near Munirabad in Karnataka’s Koppal district on Friday.
The tragic accident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Munirabad Police Station when a tanker allegedly rammed into the tractor from behind while it was travelling towards the Huligemma fair.
According to preliminary police information, the impact caused the tractor driver to lose control, following which the vehicle plunged off the bridge into the area below.
The deceased have been identified as Kenchappa (35), Mahantesh (18), Bharat (1), Savita (12), Maresh and Gouramma.
Police said all the victims are believed to belong to the same family from Marlayanahalli village in Kudligi taluk of Vijayanagar district.
More than 10 injured, several in critical condition
Authorities confirmed that more than ten people sustained injuries in the accident, with several reported to be in critical condition.
The injured were immediately shifted to government hospitals in Hospet and Koppal for emergency treatment.
Officials fear the death toll could rise further due to the seriousness of the injuries suffered by some passengers.
The bodies of the deceased were sent to the Hospet Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Families break down outside the hospital mortuary
Scenes of grief unfolded outside the mortuary of the government hospital in Hospet, where family members of the victims gathered after receiving news of the tragedy.
Relatives were seen crying inconsolably as they identified the bodies of their loved ones.
Witnesses described emotional scenes of family members embracing each other outside the mortuary, leaving many onlookers deeply moved.
L. Arasiddhi visited the hospital and gathered information from the injured and police officials regarding the accident.
Police begin investigation into accident
Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are examining the circumstances that led to the collision between the tanker and the tractor.
Officials are also expected to verify whether overloading, speeding, or negligence contributed to the fatal accident on the Tungabhadra bridge stretch.
