At least seven people were killed after a truck ran over pedestrians on the Lakhtar–Viramgam highway in Surendra Nagar district of Gujarat in the early hours of Monday, April 13.
The victims were members of the Mundhwa family from the Bharwad community, leaving the entire family devastated. They were on their way as part of a ‘sangh’ (religious group) to a temple in Gadhka village in Rajkot district when the incident took place. The deceased include five women and two men. Among those killed were Masabhai Karshanbhai Mundhwa, Jaluben Masabhai Mundhwa, Raniben Mangabhai Lambaria and Vajiben Vibhabhai Mundhwa.
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According to initial information, the truck hit around 10 pedestrians on the highway. The impact was so severe that bodies were thrown onto the road, causing panic among bystanders. People passing by stopped to help the victims. The vehicular traffic was disrupted near Charad village for some time.
Eyewitnesses said the truck was speeding when it ploughed into the group. Police and emergency services, including the 108 ambulance team, rushed to the spot soon after the incident was reported.
The bodies have been shifted to Lakhtar Hospital for post-mortem. Police have registered a case against the absconding truck driver and launched a search to apprehend him.