Four young men sustained serious injuries after their SUV plunged nearly 30 feet from an under-construction bridge on the Bharatmala National Highway near Bilaspur on Monday night, triggering fresh concerns over safety arrangements at ongoing infrastructure projects.

The accident took place near Darighat-Dhenka Karra under the Torwa police station limits, where a bridge over the Arpa River is currently under construction. Police said the vehicle, a Tata Nexon, was travelling from Korba towards Bilaspur when it reportedly entered the incomplete stretch of the highway and fell off the unfinished bridge.

Driver Failed to Notice Incomplete Stretch

According to the preliminary investigation, the SUV was travelling at a high speed when the driver failed to realise that the bridge construction was incomplete and the road ahead had not yet been connected.

The vehicle reportedly continued onto the unfinished section before becoming airborne and crashing nearly 30 feet below. The impact left the SUV extensively damaged and all four occupants seriously injured.

Villagers Led Rescue Effort

Local residents rushed to the spot after hearing the loud crash and immediately alerted the police.

Teams from Torwa Police, the Dial-112 emergency service and ambulance personnel reached the scene and, with the help of villagers, rescued the trapped occupants from the mangled vehicle.

All four injured youths were shifted to a nearby hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. Hospital authorities said their condition is serious, though further medical updates are awaited.

Victims Were Travelling to Raipur

Police said the injured are residents of Raigarh district. They had reportedly travelled through Korba and were on their way to Raipur when the accident occurred.

Authorities have informed their family members about the incident.

Questions Raised Over Highway Safety

The accident has once again drawn attention to safety arrangements at construction sites under the Bharatmala highway project.

Investigators are examining whether adequate barricades, reflective warning signs, diversion markers and caution boards had been installed at the unfinished bridge to alert motorists, particularly during night-time travel.

Officials are also assessing whether visibility conditions or the absence of sufficient warning systems contributed to the accident.

Police Begin Investigation

Torwa Police have registered the case and initiated an investigation into all aspects of the incident.

Investigators will examine the vehicle's speed, the condition of the construction site, road safety compliance by the executing agency and any possible negligence that may have contributed to the crash.

The findings are expected to determine whether further action is required against those responsible for maintaining safety at the construction zone.

Political activity intensified in Madhya Pradesh on Monday as the Datia Assembly by-election entered a crucial phase with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress filing nomination papers for their candidates amid high-profile campaign events. The day also witnessed a tragic road accident in Morena district that claimed three lives and left five others injured.

Narottam Mishra Turns Emotional at BJP Rally

The BJP's campaign in Datia was marked by an emotional address from former state Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra, who became visibly emotional while appealing for votes for party candidate Ashutosh Tiwari.

Rejecting the Congress' claim of divisions within the BJP, Mishra said the party leadership and workers were united. He pledged to personally campaign across the constituency, saying he would "bow before every household" to ensure Tiwari's victory.

Launching a political attack on Congress nominee Ghanshyam Singh, Mishra compared him to "an expired homeopathy medicine—sweet but ineffective."

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, who accompanied the BJP candidate during the nomination process, publicly entrusted Mishra with leading the campaign.

"We are handing over our younger brother Ashutosh Tiwari to you. It is now your responsibility to take him across the finish line," the Chief Minister said while addressing party workers.

Both Candidates File Nominations

Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh submitted his nomination papers earlier in the day in the presence of Pradesh Congress Committee president Jitu Patwari, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, former MLA Rajendra Bharti, Samajwadi Party state president Manoj Yadav, and other senior leaders.

Before filing his nomination, Ghanshyam Singh offered prayers at the Pitambara Peeth temple.

Later in the afternoon, BJP nominee Ashutosh Tiwari filed his nomination accompanied by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal, Dr. Narottam Mishra and senior party leaders.

With nearly two lakh voters expected to participate, the Datia bypoll is emerging as a prestige battle for both major political parties.

Congress Faces Questions Over Avadhesh Nayak

The Congress rally was overshadowed by the absence of ticket aspirant Avadhesh Nayak, triggering speculation about his possible return to the BJP.

Speaking to the media, Nayak alleged that he had been denied a party ticket despite assurances after the 2023 Assembly elections. He claimed the Congress leadership had treated him unfairly and said all political options remained open.

However, when asked about Nayak's possible return, BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal declined to comment.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh publicly apologised to Nayak during the Congress gathering, acknowledging that he had opposed Nayak's candidature in the previous Assembly election but praised his commitment to the party's campaign.

Three Killed in Morena Road Accident

In a separate incident, three people lost their lives after a stone-laden tractor-trolley collided with an auto-rickshaw carrying devotees in Morena district.

The accident occurred near Parasar Ki Tewariya under Mata Basaiya police station limits while the passengers were returning from the Bhoomiya Baba Temple. The collision was so severe that the auto-rickshaw was completely mangled.

Police said eight people were travelling in the vehicle. Three occupants—including the auto driver, one woman and another male passenger—died on the spot, while five others sustained injuries. Three of the injured are reported to be in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at the district hospital.

Four people lost their lives in two separate road accidents in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district on Friday night. Three young men were killed in a head-on collision between two motorcycles in Mainpat, while a woman died after an unidentified truck hit the motorcycle she was travelling on along National Highway-43. Her husband sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment.

Police have identified the deceased as Arjun Lohar (23), Viphal Kumar Majhi (21), Guddu Ram (22) and Rita Ekka (48). Separate investigations have been launched into both incidents.

Three Killed in Mainpat Bike Collision

The first accident took place at around 8 pm on the Narmadapur–Bijalhawa main road under Kamleshwarpur police station limits in Mainpat.

According to police, two motorcycles travelling at high speed collided head-on, throwing the riders onto the road. The impact was so severe that Arjun Lohar, a resident of Lundra, and Guddu Ram, a resident of Kot in Sitapur, died on the spot.

Third Victim Succumbs During Treatment

The third rider, Viphal Kumar Majhi, sustained critical injuries in the crash. He was initially taken to a Community Health Centre before being referred to Ambikapur Medical College Hospital.

Despite medical treatment, he succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll in the accident to three.

Family members said Viphal and his friend Guddu had gone to Mainpat for an outing and were returning home when the accident occurred. Arjun was reportedly travelling to Narmadapur to visit his in-laws. He had been married for about a year.

Police said weather conditions were clear at the time of the accident, and preliminary findings indicate that overspeeding may have been the primary cause of the collision.

Woman Killed on National Highway

In the second incident, a couple travelling on a motorcycle was hit from behind by an unidentified truck near Sedam Bazaar on National Highway-43.

The collision claimed the life of Rita Ekka (48), a resident of Deori village, while her husband, Sukhan Ekka, suffered serious injuries.

The couple was returning home from Sitapur when the accident occurred.

Search for Truck Driver Underway

Police have launched a search for the unidentified truck and its driver, who fled the scene after the collision.

Officials are examining evidence and speaking to witnesses to identify the vehicle involved. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.

The twin accidents have once again highlighted concerns over road safety and speeding on highways and rural roads in the region.

Two young men lost their lives in a tragic road accident on the Rewa-Sidhi Highway late Monday night after their motorcycle was involved in a collision near Chaudiyar Mod in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district. Police suspect that the victims were hit by an unidentified speeding vehicle, though the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.

The accident occurred near a petrol pump at Chaudiyar Mod on the Rewa-Sidhi route. According to police, both riders died on the spot due to the severity of the impact before emergency assistance could arrive.

The deceased have been identified as Mansukh Chaturvedi and Ganesh Patel, both residents of Silpara village. Preliminary information suggests that the two were travelling on a motorcycle for personal work when the accident took place.

Hit-and-Run Suspected

Initial findings indicate that a speeding unidentified vehicle may have struck the motorcycle, throwing both riders onto the road. However, police officials have not yet confirmed the hit-and-run angle and said the exact sequence of events will be established after a detailed investigation.

Investigators are examining all possible causes, including vehicle collision, road conditions and eyewitness accounts.

Police Begin Investigation

Soon after receiving information about the accident, police reached the spot and carried out the necessary legal formalities. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination before being handed over to the families.

Police have also begun scanning CCTV footage from cameras installed at locations near the accident site to identify the vehicle suspected to be involved in the crash. Other forensic evidence from the scene is also being examined.

Search for Unidentified Vehicle

Officials said efforts are underway to trace the unidentified vehicle if the hit-and-run theory is confirmed. The investigation remains ongoing, and police have appealed for information from anyone who may have witnessed the accident or noticed a damaged vehicle passing through the area during the night.

The tragic incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety and speeding on the busy Rewa-Sidhi Highway, where several serious accidents have been reported in recent years.

Authorities said further details will emerge after completion of the investigation and analysis of the available evidence.

At least 40 people were killed and eight others injured after an overcrowded passenger bus veered off a highway and plunged into a rocky ravine in southwestern Pakistan early Friday, authorities said. The accident is among the country's deadliest road crashes in recent years.

According to the Medical Emergency Response Centre (MERC), rescue teams recovered 40 bodies from the accident site, while the injured were rushed to the Trauma Centre in Zhob for medical treatment. Several of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.

A massive rescue operation was launched immediately after the crash. Emergency authorities deployed six ambulances, 12 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and 10 light transport vehicles to the remote accident site to assist in rescue and recovery efforts.

District officials, local rescue agencies and ambulance services coordinated the operation, while emergency personnel from the neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province also joined the rescue mission due to the scale of the tragedy.

Sherani Deputy Commissioner Hazrat Wali Kakar said rescue workers spent several hours retrieving victims from the deep ravine and evacuating the injured. The difficult terrain slowed rescue operations, requiring coordinated efforts from multiple emergency teams.

Preliminary information indicates that the bus had initially departed from Quetta carrying around 36 passengers. However, officials said the vehicle later became overcrowded after picking up additional passengers from another bus that had reportedly broken down along the route.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the accident. Investigators are examining whether overloading, speeding, driver error or mechanical failure contributed to the crash. A detailed probe has been ordered, officials said.

Road accidents remain a major safety concern in Pakistan, particularly on mountainous highways where poor road conditions, overloaded vehicles and inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations often increase the risk of fatal crashes. Several serious bus accidents have been reported across the country in recent years, prompting repeated calls for stricter road safety measures.

The latest tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over passenger safety and enforcement of transport regulations. Officials said further details will emerge as the investigation progresses.

Two people were killed on the spot after a speeding truck rammed a pickup vehicle from behind near Khadda Toll Plaza in Rewa district in the early hours of Wednesday.

The incident occurred around 3 am when the pickup, returning from Sidhi after unloading liquor crates, was hit by an uncontrolled truck. The impact was so severe that the pickup veered off the road and crashed into a pole, leaving the vehicle badly mangled.

The deceased have been identified as pickup driver Chandan Dubey, a resident of Padra, and Rajesh Rawat from Rasiya Mohalla. Another person, Lala Rawat, who was sleeping in the rear of the vehicle, survived unhurt.

Local residents informed the police, who reached the spot immediately. The bodies were sent for postmortem. Preliminary investigation suggests the truck was speeding and the driver was negligent. The truck driver fled the scene after the accident and a search is on to trace him.

Such accidents on the busy Rewa-Sidhi highway have been reported frequently, with locals demanding stricter enforcement of speed limits and better road safety measures, especially near toll plazas.

Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.

The family was returning from Kashi Vishwanath darshan when the driver fell asleep and crashed into a parked truck; two young children survived.

A journalist and his wife were killed in a horrific road accident in Mirzapur early Sunday morning while returning from Kashi Vishwanath temple darshan. The crash occurred when the driver of their rented Artiga car allegedly dozed off and rammed into a truck parked on the roadside.

The deceased were identified as Vikas (35) and his wife Sonam (31), residents of Katni in Madhya Pradesh. Vikas worked as a media professional. The couple had travelled to Varanasi with their two young sons — Shivansh (4) and Rudra (one-and-a-half years old) — for darshan at the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Four others in the car, including the driver, were seriously injured. The two children, however, escaped unhurt.

How the Accident Happened

The accident took place around 2 am on the Hanumana-bound lane in the Drumandganj police station area. The car was travelling at high speed when the driver lost control and hit the stationary truck.

The impact was so severe that the car was completely mangled, trapping the occupants inside. The truck's driver fled the scene, police said.

Local residents alerted the police, who arrived at the spot and used gas cutters to extract the bodies and the injured from the wreckage.

Saksham Tamrakar (17), the brother-in-law of deceased Vikas, recounted the events. "We left Varanasi around 10 pm and stopped at Singh Dhaba around midnight for dinner. After a short rest, we continued the journey. About 15-20 minutes later, I fell asleep. The next thing I knew, I was in the hospital," he said.

Injured Shifted to Hospital

The injured — driver Heeralal (23), Himanshu Tamrakar (27), Saksham Tamrakar (17) and Radha (40) — all residents of Satna, were initially taken to Lalganj Community Health Centre. After primary treatment, they were referred to a better facility.

The Lalganj area officer and Drumandganj police station in-charge were present at the scene to oversee the relief and rescue operations.

Police have taken possession of the damaged car and the truck. A search is underway for the truck driver who fled the spot. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem.

This accident is the latest in a series of road fatalities in Uttar Pradesh involving vehicles returning from religious pilgrimages, raising fresh concerns over night travel safety and driver fatigue on state highways.

Police act on eyewitness account and victim's videos; accused allegedly demanded ₹1 crore and threatened truck driver after accident on Jagdalpur-Bijapur highway

Police have arrested the owner of a Mercedes car in connection with the suicide of a 25-year-old truck driver who allegedly took his own life after being threatened and assaulted following a road accident on the Jagdalpur-Bijapur National Highway-63.

The accused, identified as Sagar Hemla, was arrested after investigators examined eyewitness statements, social media videos recorded by the deceased before his death, and other digital evidence. He has been booked on charges related to criminal intimidation and abetment allegations and was sent to judicial custody after being produced before a court.

The case has drawn widespread attention after the victim's family alleged that the truck driver was subjected to physical assault, intimidation and an alleged demand for ₹1 crore as compensation following the accident.

According to police, the incident dates back to June 11, when a collision took place between a truck and a Mercedes car near Banjari Ghat on National Highway-63 in the Gidam police station area. Investigators said that following the accident, the truck driver, Tamradhwaj Sahu alias Sonu (25), was allegedly abused, assaulted and threatened by the Mercedes owner.

Family members have alleged that the accused demanded ₹1 crore for the damage caused to the luxury vehicle and threatened to kill the truck driver and harm his family if the amount was not paid. The alleged harassment reportedly left the young driver mentally distressed.

The following day, Tamradhwaj allegedly died by suicide after hanging himself.

Before taking the extreme step, the victim uploaded multiple videos on his social media accounts, claiming that he had been assaulted and threatened after the accident. In the videos, he reportedly narrated the circumstances that led to his emotional distress.

The victim's uncle, Hem Singh, who claims to have witnessed the incident, alleged that he was present with Tamradhwaj during the accident. According to him, the accused physically assaulted the truck driver and demanded ₹1 crore, while also issuing life threats.

Following complaints from the victim's relatives, Gidam police intensified the investigation. Officers visited the accident spot, recorded eyewitness statements and examined digital evidence, including the social media videos, mobile screenshots and other electronic records.

Based on the available evidence collected during the investigation, police arrested Sagar Hemla, a resident of Gangaloor in Bijapur district. He was later produced before a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody.

The case has also sparked controversy after the victim's family alleged that two of the eight videos uploaded by Tamradhwaj before his death went missing during the investigation. The family has demanded a fair and transparent probe into the matter and urged authorities to recover all digital evidence.

Responding to the developments, SDOP Govind Singh Diwan said the accused has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He added that the investigation remains ongoing and further legal action will depend on the evidence that emerges during the course of the probe.

The arrest marks a significant development in the case, which has raised concerns over alleged intimidation following road accidents and the psychological impact such incidents can have on victims. Police have maintained that every aspect of the case, including the digital evidence and witness testimonies, is being examined thoroughly before filing the final charges.

Three people were killed early Sunday after an unidentified vehicle ran them over while they were out on their morning walk in Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district. The driver fled the scene after the crash, and police are now trying to identify the vehicle.

The accident took place on the Bharatmala road passing through Dongri-Korbi village in Baloda police station limits, between 4 am and 5 am. The victims were identified as Dilharan Das Vaishnav, 62, Kedar Yadav, 52, and Santu Yadav, 70.

Police said all three were friends and used to go for morning walks together. Vaishnav had retired as a branch manager from a cooperative society, while Yadav and Santu Yadav were farmers. The three had walked about 2 km from home when they were hit.

Their bodies were found scattered across the road, around 5 to 10 metres apart, after the impact. Locals gathered at the spot soon after the incident and informed the police.

Officers reached the scene, completed the inquest and sent the bodies for post-mortem. Police are now scanning CCTV footage from the surrounding area to trace the vehicle and identify the driver. A case has been registered, and search teams are working to track down the accused.

The tragedy has once again raised concerns about road safety on high-speed corridors, especially during early-morning hours when visibility is low and traffic is sparse. Residents said the victims were part of a regular walking group and had no reason to expect such a fatal crash.

The speeding truck hit the bike late Saturday night near Chorhata airstrip; police have registered a case and launched an investigation.

Two young men were killed and another critically injured after a speeding truck rammed into their bike late Saturday night in Rewa district's Chorhata police station area. All three victims belong to the same family.

The accident occurred in front of the Chorhata airstrip in Agdal. The truck hit the bike with such force that two of the riders died on the spot. The third was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

Family member Sanjay Kol identified the deceased as Chhotu Kol and Dilip Kol. The injured person was named as Pankaj Kol. All three were travelling together on the bike late at night when the accident happened.

Injured Undergoing Treatment

Locals informed the police immediately after the accident. Police arrived at the scene and rushed the injured Pankaj to a hospital, where he continues to receive treatment.

Chorhata police station in-charge Pawan Shukla said a police team reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. The bodies of the two deceased were taken into custody and sent to the mortuary for post-mortem.

"The accident occurred late Saturday night. Our team is investigating the matter. A case has been registered," Shukla said.

Rising Concern Over Road Safety

The accident is the latest in a series of fatal road incidents in Rewa district. Speeding trucks on highways and poorly lit roads have been identified as major contributing factors to such tragedies.

This incident also highlights the vulnerability of two-wheeler riders, especially at night. The loss of two young lives from the same family has left the community in shock.

Police officials have urged riders to exercise caution while travelling at night and to ensure proper lighting and reflective gear on their vehicles. Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.

A 12-year-old Class 6 student was killed after a speeding truck ran her over in Gunderdehi village of Chhattisgarh’s Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district, triggering a dramatic 55-km police chase in which the driver allegedly kept breaking barricades to escape arrest.

The victim, identified as Poonam, was standing by the roadside when the truck hit her on Friday morning. Police said the driver, identified as Devi Singh from Uttar Pradesh, appeared to be heavily intoxicated and fled the scene in a desperate attempt to avoid being caught.

What followed was a high-speed chase that moved through multiple police checkpoints. Officers first tried to stop the truck in the Mohla area, but the driver rammed through the barricades and sped away. A second blockade near Manpur was also broken through, and police personnel narrowly escaped being hit in the process.

According to police, the truck was moving at around 120 kmph during the escape. The driver reportedly showed no sign of slowing down, even as teams from several police stations joined the pursuit. The chase created panic on the highway, with motorists and bystanders watching the vehicle tear through barricades and flee ahead of the police convoy.

The pursuit finally ended near Korkoti, between the Manpur and Kohka police station limits, when the truck went out of control and veered off the road into a roadside ditch. Police then overpowered the driver and took him into custody. He also suffered injuries during the crash and was taken to Manpur hospital for treatment.

Poonam’s death sparked anger in Gunderdehi village. Residents placed her body on the road and blocked traffic, demanding strict action against the accused driver and justice for the family. The protest brought movement on the stretch to a halt until senior administrative and police officers reached the spot and held talks with villagers.

The officials assured the crowd that action would be taken, after which the blockade was withdrawn. The body was later sent to Ambagarh Chowki hospital for post-mortem.

Police are now examining the circumstances of the crash, the driver’s alleged drunken condition, and the sequence of barricade breaches during the escape. Officers said the viral video of the chase is also being reviewed as part of the investigation.

The incident has once again raised concerns about drunken driving, highway safety and the risks police face during vehicle checks on busy routes. Locals said the case should send a strong message, especially when a child has lost her life and officers had to risk being run over while stopping the accused.

Three young friends lost their lives in a tragic road accident in Surajpur district on Friday night after their bike rammed into a stationary maize-loaded truck on the roadside. The incident, which occurred while the victims were heading to a wedding, triggered massive outrage among locals, who set the truck on fire and assaulted police personnel who reached the spot.

The accident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety and improper parking of heavy vehicles in the region.

Four Friends on Single Bike

The victims — Rupchand Pakra (20), Ravindra Pakra (19) and Om Prakash Pakra (18) — all residents of Baikona village under Pratappur police station, were riding a single motorcycle to attend a wedding in Khajuri village. The fourth friend, Armaan Pakra (16), sustained serious injuries and was referred to Ambikapur Medical College in critical condition.

The collision happened between 11:30 pm and midnight on the main road of Gram Panchayat Rampur when the bike slammed into the rear of the parked truck. The impact was so severe that the motorcycle was badly damaged and three youths died on the spot.

Mob Fury Leads to Arson

News of the accident spread quickly, drawing an angry crowd of villagers to the spot. In a fit of rage, locals set the truck on fire. The blaze engulfed the front portion of the vehicle, reducing it to ashes before police could fully control the situation.

Eyewitnesses claimed the truck was parked without adequate safety measures such as reflectors or warning signs, which they said contributed to the tragedy. Police had to use water to douse the flames while recovering the bodies for postmortem.

Police Personnel Assaulted

A Dial-112 emergency response team that reached the spot to shift the injured faced hostility from the grieving villagers. The mob allegedly assaulted two personnel, including Constable Nitesh Toppo and the driver, accusing them of failing to ensure the truck was removed after an earlier incident. Both sustained injuries but were rescued by locals from Shivpur village and taken to hospital.

Surajpur SDOP Anoop Ekka later clarified that the Dial-112 team had responded promptly to the emergency call and denied any negligence. A separate FIR has been registered regarding the assault on police personnel.

Same Truck Involved in Earlier Crash

Investigations revealed that the same truck had been involved in another accident just about 90 minutes earlier on the Pratappur-Semarsot road near Shivpur around 10 pm. A car had collided with it, leading to a brief argument between the truck driver and the car occupants. The driver reportedly abandoned the truck and fled the spot. After police intervention, the car left, but the truck remained parked on the roadside, setting the stage for the fatal bike crash.

Families Shattered, Investigation Underway

The incident turned a joyous occasion into mourning for the families in Baikona village. Relatives of the deceased were inconsolable, with many questioning how young lives were lost so suddenly. Police have initiated a detailed probe into the cause of the accident, including the role of the truck driver and possible lapses in road safety protocols.

Authorities have appealed for calm while assuring strict action against those responsible for any violations. The injured youth’s condition is being closely monitored.

Road Safety Concerns Resurface

Road accidents involving parked heavy vehicles have been a recurring issue in Chhattisgarh, especially on highways and rural stretches. The Surajpur tragedy has once again sparked demands for better enforcement of traffic rules, including mandatory use of warning triangles, reflectors, and proper lighting for stationary trucks at night.

Local residents have urged the administration to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents and improve emergency response mechanisms in remote areas.

As the police continue their investigation, the people of Baikona and surrounding villages are mourning the loss of three young lives cut short on what was supposed to be a night of celebration.