New Delhi, September 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a road accident in Maharashtra’s Nanded district and announced ex-gratia assistance for the victims’ families and those injured in the crash.
The Prime Minister’s Office said on X that Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be provided to the next of kin of each person who died in the accident. The injured would receive Rs 50,000 each.
“At least six people were killed and eight others critically injured” after a passenger van collided head-on with a truck on the Nanded-Bhokar road on Thursday evening, police said.
The accident occurred around 7 p.m. near Sitakhandi Ghat when the van, travelling from Nanded towards Bhokar, collided with the truck. The impact severely damaged the van.
Local residents rushed to the scene and helped rescue people trapped in the wreckage. The injured were subsequently taken to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
Police identified five of the deceased as Syed Almas of Bilal Nagar in Bhokar, Sheikh Firoz of Bhokar, Pandurang Laxman Waghmare and his wife Laxmibai Pandurang Waghmare of Syed Nagar, and Balwan Pawar of Potatanda village in Hadgaon taluka. One deceased person had not yet been identified.
Some of the injured remained in critical condition, an official said.
Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to the collision. Officials have not yet determined whether factors such as road conditions, visibility, vehicle speed or mechanical failure played a role.
The accident occurred on the day of the Pola festival, causing panic in the area. Police and rescue teams reached the spot and undertook rescue operations while managing traffic.
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