Mathura Tragedy: Dense Fog Triggers Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up on Yamuna Expressway, 13 Killed, 70 Injured

A major accident occurred on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura due to dense fog. Eight buses and three cars were involved in a massive collision near milestone 127 in the Baldev police station area. Immediately after the collision, several vehicles caught fire, resulting in the deaths of 13 people, including a BJP leader, while approximately 70 others were injured. The death toll is expected to rise, as dismembered body parts were recovered from inside the buses. These parts have been placed in 17 polythene bags and sent for DNA testing to identify the deceased.

Upon receiving news of the accident, police, fire brigade, and SDRF teams rushed to the scene. Approximately 50 personnel and police from nine police stations completed the rescue operation in about six hours. The accident caused a traffic jam stretching for about 3 kilometers on the expressway. A magisterial inquiry into the incident has been ordered, which will be led by ADM Administration Amresh.

A passerby informed the police about the collision. Before the police arrived, local residents had already reached the scene. According to an eyewitness, the collision was so powerful that the sound of the impact resembled a bomb blast. People started breaking the bus windows and jumping out to save their lives. Within a short time, the buses were completely gutted. Local residents pulled out 8-9 bodies from one of the buses. It is alleged that the rescue operation started with a delay of about an hour.

The injured were transported to Mathura District Hospital and Vrindavan Joint District Hospital in 11 ambulances. Those seriously injured have been referred to Agra Medical College. The police faced considerable difficulty in extracting the bodies from the buses. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh each to the families of the deceased.